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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Some examples of projects and technology that have roots in ESA's Human and Robotic Exploration programme. For more information click on the links below:
Treatment of polluted ground water in Morocco
Autonomous drinking-water filtration for University of Kenitra. Standard shipping-container sized solar-powered water filtration to remove nitrates.
Aquapad
Cheap, easy-to-use detection of bacteria using multi-layered petri-dish technology. Can assess water quality in space and anywhere on Earth. Just add water, wait and scan with a phone application and camera for results.
Aquaporin
Bio-mimetic membranes copy nature to purify water. As it works on a molecular scale, the membrane hardly clogs up and can be used for longer than regular filters. Tested on the International Space Station and available on Earth.
Aid in disaster areas
SEMiLLA Sanitation uses space technology to turn urine and faeces into water and fertiliser. The modular design converts wastewater streams into drinkable water, fertiliser, irrigation water and compost.
Circular brewery
Reduction of 80% of water use in La Trappe brewery in The Netherlands using recycling processes developed for spaceflight. Around 3000 species of bacteria and organisms, including plants are used to purify the water.
Barapullah water treatment
A modular pilot waste-water treatment plant along the Barapullah drain in downtown New Delhi, India, is being built based on space technology. Innovative but robust technologies, will be incorporated in a modular pilot treatment plant
Biostyr
Compact water treatment technology particularly useful where land is scarce such as high-value tourist areas or where treatment installations must be protected from harsh weather such as in mountains.
Biofacade
Photobioreactor space know-how recycles water to produce hot water with less energy. The biomass produced can be used for pharmaceutical compounds and protein supplements. The first building with Biofacade is being constructed in Paris.