Platforms https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/ Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:05:10 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://explorationscience.esa.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ESA-favicon.png Platforms https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/ 32 32 Commercial and International Missions https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/commercial-and-international-missions/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:19:24 +0000 https://explorationscience.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=2407 ESA funds and leads the development of a variety of payloads and experiments that help us understand the Earth-Moon system and prepare for future exploration activities. If not part of an agency-led mission, these payloads hitch a ride to the Moon aboard spacecraft operated by international or commercial partners. In the rapidly changing landscape of […]

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]]> Moon Small Missions https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/moon-small-missions/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:11:18 +0000 https://explorationscience.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=2405 Small Missions are a range of ESA-funded missions that seek to answer specific scientific questions with small orbiters or surface assets. The somewhat limited scope and complexity of these activities enable shorter mission durations, ensuring a faster science return that can help address critical data gaps. The first batch of Small Missions was announced in […]

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]]> Argonaut  https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/argonaut/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:05:22 +0000 https://explorationscience.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=2212 Argonaut is Europe’s first multi-purpose logistics lander and will be able to carry up to 1500 kg of cargo to the lunar surface. Cargo complements can consist of hard-mounted, deployed, and mobile assets like rovers, and the lander will be able to sustain them on the surface for months to years. The first Argonaut will launch in 2030, with subsequent missions taking place every two to three years.   More information on […]

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]]> Sounding Rocket https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/sounding-rocket/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 01:26:07 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=553 Sounding rockets are a unique mission platform for providing truly excellent levels of microgravity.

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]]> Concordia Station https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/concordia/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 14:31:00 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=473 ESA supports biomedical research at Concordia station to investigate psychological and physiological stressors of spaceflight.

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]]> Isolation and Confinement Studies https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/isolation-and-confinement-studies/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:27:29 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=458 Isolation and confinement studies are essential for human spaceflight preparation, providing controlled environments to understand and mitigate the challenges of long-duration missions. Why Isolation Studies? These studies offer unique opportunities to: By simulating conditions similar to those on deep-space missions, isolation studies help ensure crew health, performance, and safety during exploration beyond Earth. ESA’s Role […]

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]]> Bedrest Studies https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/bedrest/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:26:46 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=457 Head-down tilt (HDT) bedrest is a well-established analogue for studying physiological changes that occur during spaceflight. By simulating the fluid shifts and unloading of the musculoskeletal system seen in microgravity, bedrest provides a controlled environment for research on human adaptation and countermeasures. Why Bedrest? Bedrest studies allow: These investigations are critical for ensuring astronaut health […]

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]]> Gateway https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/gateway/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 16:31:57 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=380 Gateway, an international space station in orbit around the Moon, will be humanity’s first outpost in deep space. As a cornerstone of the Artemis program, Gateway is being developed in partnership with NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The first modules will be launched in 2027 and sent on their 15-month voyage to lunar […]

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]]> International Space Station (ISS) https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/international-space-station/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 16:29:07 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=379 The International Space Station (ISS) with ESA’s Columbus module is a unique platform allowing research in the space environment, and in microgravity

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]]> Ground-Based Facilities (GBF) https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/ground-based-facility-gbf/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:49:28 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=373 ESA provides scientists with unique opportunities to investigate spaceflight-relevant conditions through ground-based analogue platforms. These facilities enable research on humans, biological systems, materials, and technologies under controlled, space-like stressors—such as microgravity, isolation and confinement, altered atmospheres, and hypergravity. The outcomes inform diagnostic tools, countermeasures, life-support systems, and protective technologies for future missions, while delivering innovations […]

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]]> Investigating the Biological and Physical Effects of Radiation (IBPER) https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/investigating-the-biological-and-physical-effects-of-radiation-ibper/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:46:40 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=371 ESA provides scientists with opportunities to study the effects of ionising radiation relevant to Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Moon & Mars Sciences. These studies improve radiation risk models, inform shielding strategies, and support countermeasure development for future missions, while also advancing terrestrial applications such as charged-particle cancer therapy and low-dose exposure assessment. Our Facilities […]

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]]> Drop Tower https://explorationscience.esa.int/platforms/drop-tower/ Wed, 08 Mar 2023 09:13:45 +0000 https://scispace.esa.int/?post_type=platform&p=172 Drop towers provide true free-fall conditions for short-duration microgravity research, enabling scientists to study physical and biological phenomena without gravity-driven disturbances. Why Drop Towers? These multi-purpose facilities allow: Drop towers are ideal for experiments that require high precision and rapid observation under gravity-free conditions. ESA’s Role ESA collaborates with the ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen, […]

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