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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ATV-5 George Lemaitre will soon return to earth after being docked to the ISS for a period of six months . Its controlled atmospheric re-entry will mark the end of ESA’s Automated transfer Vehicle programme after some twenty years of developing, planning and building what remains as the heaviest cargo vehicle that ESA has ever sent into orbit.
For years ATV has played a crucial role in the supply chain of the International Space Station, ISS, spotlighting the know-how of European industry and paving the way for future new endeavours thanks to its advances in technology.