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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Science and technology in orbit
Since 2008, Europe’s Columbus laboratory on the Space Station offers researchers worldwide the opportunity to conduct science without the influence of gravity in fields such as fluid physics, material sciences, radiation physics, the human body, biology and astrobiology.
ESA astronauts have been flying to the International Space Station since 2001, carrying out assembly tasks and supporting research in areas ranging from fundamental science to advanced technology and commercial products.
Numerous experiments study the effect of gravity on biological, physical and chemical processes and how these could be used to improve daily life on Earth.
Recherche et technologie en orbite
Depuis 2008, le laboratoire Columbus permet aux chercheurs du monde entier de mener des expériences sans l’influence de la gravité, dans des domaines tels que la physique des fluides, la science des matériaux, la physique des rayonnements, la physiologie humaine, la biologie et l’astrobiologie.
Les astronautes de l’ESA ont pris part à des missions à bord de la Station spatiale internationale depuis 2001, en y menant des tâches d’assemblage et en contribuant à des activités de recherche portant aussi bien sur la recherche fondamentale que sur des technologies de pointe et des produits commerciaux.
De nombreuses expériences étudient les effets de la gravité sur les processus biologiques, physiques et chimiques dans le but d’améliorer la vie quotidienne sur Terre.
Image caption
ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel during a spacewalk to finish installation of Europe’s Columbus laboratory to the ISS in 2008.
L’astronaute de l’ESA Hans Schlegel pendant l’installation du laboratoire européen Colombus à l’ISS, en 2008.