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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Various new production methods developed within ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Programme are improving manufacturing efficiency, for instance, a ‘Flow forming’ technique shapes a metal element in a single step. This has been demonstrated in recent manufacturing trials co-funded between ESA and NASA Langley.
This technique reduces weld seams making rocket structures stronger and lighter while speeding up production. It is also better for the environment because it saves energy and there is no waste material.
Ten 3-m diameter aluminium demonstration cylinders that are representative of an interstage were successfully manufactured and tested in April 2019.