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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On 28th June 1999, ESA opened its Erasmus centre at ESTEC in the Netherlands. Erasmus has been designed as a user centre for the International Space Station [ISS] - in addition to television studio facilities, the site contains a multimedia library, virtual reality theatre and various models [including the Columbus Orbital Facility, or COF].
Broadcast from Erasmus on the inauguration day, this VNR contains the following footage: general views of the inauguration ceremony; interviews with ESA astronauts Wubbo Ockels [in English], Pedro Duque [in Spanish] and Ulf Merbold [in German]; archive footage of the construction of components for the ISS; soundbites from Mrs J.M. de Vries, Dutch State Secretary of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and Jorg Feustel-Beuchl, ESA Director of Manned Spaceflight; shots of the multimedia library and virtual reality centre; various models; graphics of the ISS and footage/graphics of the first year construction.