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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Under water sampling
ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer participates in NASA’s NEEMO 21 underwater mission in 2016. As part of a crew of 'aquanauts', Matthias spent 16 days living and working at the Aquarius Reef Base on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. During this simulated space mission he collected samples for marine biology and geology studies, tested software, and participated in a coral restoration project. The crew also tested communications delays similar to those that might be encountered during a mission to Mars.
Probennahme unter Wasser
ESA-Astronaut Matthias Maurer nahm 2016 an der Unterwasser-Mission NEEMO 21 der NASA teil. Als Teil einer Crew von "Aquanaut*innen" lebte und arbeitete er 16 Tage lang in der Aquarius Reef Base auf dem Grund des Atlantiks. Während dieser simulierten Weltraummission sammelte er Proben für meeresbiologische und geologische Studien, testete Software und nahm an einem Projekt zur Regeneration von Korallen teil. Die Crew probte auch Kommunikationsverzögerungen, wie sie bei einer Marsmission auftreten könnten.