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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In late 2018, ESA commissioned two consortia – one led by Airbus and the other by Thales Alenia Space – to undertake parallel studies into the design of a scientific airlock as part of a European module called ESPRIT. This module will enable refuelling, provide the interface for telecommunications with the Moon and Earth and allow scientific experiments to be transferred from the Gateway to and from outer space.
This image shows the underwater testing of one preliminary airlock design constructed by French company Comex for Airbus. The mock-up was tested underwater at Comex's facilities in Marseilles, France to simulate the weightlessness of space.