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 23 March 2012, Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) "Edoardo Amaldi" will be launched from Kourou to resupply the International Space Station with a record amount of cargo.
The Edoardo Amaldi mission, the third of its kind in ESA's ATV programme, will carry over 6 tonnes of propellants and dry cargo. Most of this cargo was loaded last November, but 55 bags including important NASA equipment were loaded in February. This late loading procedure increases the flexibility of the space freighter.
More background information can be found on: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/index.html