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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ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and his five colleagues on the International Space Station spend many hours running experiments but their orbital home needs care and attention too.
Here Alexander is analysing a water pump in Europe’s Columbus laboratory to make sure that it is working correctly. A number of water pumps work continuously to keep the module and its experiments at the correct temperature. Making sure they work well is an unglamorous task but a vital one.