Science and Technology in Orbit

ESA astronauts have been flying to the International Space Station since 2001, engaging in research in areas ranging from fundamental science to advanced technology and commercial products while helping build and expand the orbiting outpost.

Europe’s Columbus laboratory on the ISS offers researchers worldwide the opportunity to conduct science without the influence of gravity. Numerous experiments study the effect of gravity on biological, physical and chemical processes and how these could be used to improve daily life on Earth.