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
Go to topicSpecial spacesuits with internal cooling devices allow astronauts to withstand high temperatures during spacewalks. The space technology has been used by the Canadian company Med-Eng to develop a concept now used by the Italian fashion manufacturer Corpo Nove and its R&D start-up Grado Zero Espace specialising in sports outfits and outdoor garments. Here one of Corpo Nove’s products, the Cooling Jacket with the technology from ESA, is seen on display at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum New York in an exhibition entitled Skin: Surface, Substance and Design that runs from 14 May to 15 September 2002. The cooling effect is obtained by inserting 50 metres of plastic tubing, 2 mm wide, as part of the design.