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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Last sunset at Concordia research base in 2013. From this point, the Sun will stay above the horizon for around four months. During the Antarctic summer some 60 scientists live and work on the base conducting research on the icy plateau 3200 m above sea level.
When winter comes they leave a skeleton crew of up to 15 to keep the base running and fend for themselves for nine months – no help can be flown in as temperatures drop to –80ºC.
Preparing for exploration of our Solar System, ESA runs life-science experiments on the crew as they adapt to life in these harsh conditions.