The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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ATV-4 arrived at the International Space Station on 15 June 2013 after ten days in orbit around Earth. After the delicate process of docking, the hatch was finally opened to reveal that all of ATV's cargo made the journey intact. This view of ATV Albert Einstein shows its precious cargo. At the bottom left is the Water Pump Assembly for the Columbus thermal control system. ATV-4 brought 7 tonnes of supplies, propellants and experiments to the complex. ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano will oversee the unloading and cataloguing of the cargo of over 1400 individual items.