![](https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/files/2019/12/International_Space_Station.jpg)
International Space Station
(English) ESA Explores: ERA for astronauts
(English) ESA astronaut André Kuipers first encountered the European Robotic Arm (ERA) on paper, when it was intended for a proposed spaceplane called Hermes. Many iterations later, this European-built robot will soon be launched to the International Space Station – its new home in orbit.
![](
https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/files/2021/07/Space_embrace-1500x984.jpg )