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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The main engine of ESA's third European Service Module, which will power NASA's Orion spacecraft in space during the Artemis III mission, being installed at Airbus Space in Bremen, Germany.
This particular engine is no stranger to flying in space: it is a repurposed Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) engine that has already flown on nine Space Shuttle flights, bringing to space ESA astronauts Leopold Eyharts and Roberto Vittori on missions STS-123 and STS-134 respectively, as well as NASA Administrator Senator Bill Nelson on mission 61-C.
This summer, ESA's third European Service Module will leave the integration halls of Airbus Space and travel to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, to be connected to the crew module in preparation for the Artemis III launch to the Moon.