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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Test Additive Manufacturing-produced alternatives of a connector used as part of a payload satellite adapter, manufactured by CATEC (Spain) for a study carried out through ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Programme by ESA's Materials Technology Section. While the operational version of the connector is produced in four parts, the various AM versions, redesigned by Airbus D&S and CATEC, can be printed in a single part, with significant mass savings and optimised topology. The part has been manufactured in aluminium silicon alloy.