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
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
After four months with seeing the Sun rise above the horizon the crew of Concordia research station welcome its return from the rooftop.
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, the skeleton crew of up to 15 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.
Read more in the Concordia blog