It provides support to projects, preparatory programmes and technology programmes and is responsible for:

• Overall structural configuration studies and structural design, engineering and verification of manned and unmanned spacecraft, modules, payloads and equipment, including instrument and equipment concepts and accommodation on spacecraft, as well as launch vehicle to spacecraft structural interfaces

• Design of special purpose structures (e.g. antennae, light weight mirrors, protective shields, high-stability structures, high or low temperature structures, special fastening techniques, etc.)

• Configuration analysis and evaluation of constraints (e.g. mass budgets, mass balance, field of view, envelopes, accessibility studies, assembly feasibility studies, etc.)

• Derivation of mechanical design loads associated with space flight, orbital and ground environment, as well as derivation of test loads and requirements

• Prediction of structural response and evaluation of test results, including correlation of test results with analytical predictions and updating of mathematical models

• Application of advanced manufacturing techniques and structures materials, including the definition of testing and characterisation requirements (in collaboration with other D/TEC sections)

• Definition and development of tools, methodologies and requirements for fracture control/damage tolerance of spacecraft and payload structures

• Definition and development of methods for active control of structures, and structure-control interaction modelling

• Definition and development of methods for passive and active noise and micro-vibration/jitter suppression and for control of micro-gravity environment

• Elaboration, development and check of the Agency's mechanical systems configuration, design, verification and integrity approaches and policy

• Elaboration of advanced testing and test evaluation techniques, including modal identification, force limited testing

• Maintenance of a repository for launchers and basic Space Station configuration data