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 European Service Module test article for NASA’s Orion spacecraft put to the test at the agency’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio, USA.
The module sits directly below Orion’s crew capsule and provides propulsion, power, thermal control, and water and air for four astronauts. The solar array spans 19 m and provides enough electricity to power two households. A little over 5 m in diameter and 4 m high, the service module weighs 13.5 tonnes.
When Orion is launched it will be bolted to a spacecraft adapter that keeps it in place inside NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. A separation system will fire to break it away from the vehicle. This video shows the system being tested.