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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A spherical test mass landing on the simulated sand-covered asteroid terrain inside the ISAE-Supaero drop tower's test box, to investigate landing behaviour in low-gravity conditions. An existing drop tower, previously designated for aircraft and material drop-tests was customised with a system of pulleys and counterweights to simulate reduced-gravity. The test mass is spherical for now, with the intention of progressing to a CubeSat-shaped test mass in future.