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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Humans in space have a lot to contend with, and for those in low-Earth orbit, space debris is a real concern.
The International Space Station orbits Earth at an altitude of just over 400 km. In the two decades since its launch, 35 'collision avoidance manoeuvres' have been performed in order to dodge space debris, with three taking place in 2020 alone.
If a potential collision appears imminent, and there is no time to move the Station, they can take emergency shelter in escape vehicles.
Find out more about the risk space debris poses to astronauts, including the "clanking" sounds they hear while in orbit, in the joint ESA-UNOOSA podcast that narrates this infographic.