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 integrated cargo carrier-lite (ICC-lite) is transferred to Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay from the payload changeout room on Launch Pad 39A. The carrier holds three elements: a nitrogen tank assembly that is part of the external active thermal control system on the International Space Station, the European technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) composed of nine science instruments and an autonomous temperature measurement unit, and the SOLAR payload designed for sun observation. EuTEF and SOLAR are external facilities for the European Columbus laboratory which was also transferred to Atlantis' payload bay. Columbus is ESA's largest single contribution to the Space Station. Columbus will fly to the International Space Station on mission STS-122. The launch is targeted for 6 December 2007.