Each Spaceship provides a collaborative environment in which students work with experts to find fast solutions to technical challenges thrown up by large space exploration programmes.

Teams typically include scientists and engineers from space agencies, universities and companies and there is a strong emphasis on hands-on demonstrations and investigations.

Supporting the aims of a globally-agreed exploration road map, ESA Spaceships investigate key technologies of space exploration – from the use of extra-terrestrial resources to the development of off-planet energy systems, and much more.

Each ESA Spaceship has its own areas of focus, and Spaceship ECSAT is concentrating on virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and the development of systems to support the training and activities of astronauts.