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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Locations of the User Support and Operation Centres (USOCs) distributed throughout Europe. These centres are responsible for using and implementing European payloads on the International Space Station.
On behalf of Station users and under ESA management, USOCs prepare and operate facilities for experiments on board the Station. The USOCs act as the link between the user and the Space Station, and are the focal points for the preparation and operation of ESA payloads.