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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Metal flow forming is a technique being extended to rockets as part of ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme, working with industry partner MT-Aerospace, in cooperation with NASA Langley Research Center and Lockheed Martin.
This stiffened aluminium tube of 0.5 m diameter demonstrates that this is a reliable method for creating large single-piece elements such as cryogenic tanks or the structures that connect rocket stages.