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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For ESA’s Rosetta comet-chaser, the European Space Tribology Laboratory lubricated the gear wheels keeping its solar wings trained on the Sun, other components keeping its main antenna pointed back at Earth, its dust-collecting MIDAS instrument and the Philae lander’s anchoring system, while also advising on the assembly and operation of its reaction wheels.