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Space Invader is the pseudonym of a well-known French urban artist whose work is modelled on the crude pixellation of 1970s-1980s 8-bit video games. He took his name from the 1978 arcade game Space Invaders, and much of his work is composed of square ceramic tiles inspired by video game characters.
The Invader has made it his mission to invade the world with his mosaic creations. They can be found all over the world , also including his invasion of Space2 into space and invading the International Space Station (ISS) thanks to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Space2, last tests before leaving : Photo – ESA space invader
With continuation from Space2, the invader has also been visiting ESA’s around the world and bringing Space back down to Earth!
“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.” ESA
ESA’s headquarters are in Paris which is where policies and programmes are decided. ESA also has sites in a number of European countries, each of which has different responsibilities:
- EAC, the European Astronauts Centre in Cologne, Germany;
- ESAC, the European Space Astronomy Centre, in Villanueva de la Canada, Madrid, Spain;
- ESOC, the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany;
- ESRIN, the ESA centre for Earth Observation, in Frascati, near Rome, Italy;
- ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
- ECSAT, the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, Harwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
- ESA Redu Centre, Belgium.
Invader’s first invasion is of the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), near Cologne, Germany.
Invader visits ESA’s Redu Centre in Belgium’s Ardennes region, and is responsible for controlling and testing a range of satellites as part of ESA’s ground station network. It is also home to the Space Weather Data Centre as part of ESA’s Space Situational Awareness Preparatory Programme.
Invader visits Europe’s centre of excellence for satellite operation, ESOC, Frankfurt, home to the engineering teams that control spacecraft in orbit, manage global tracking station network, and design and build the systems on the ground that support missions in space.
ESA’s Headquarters are located in Paris, invader’s home city. The main administrative centre, ESA HQ ‘Mario-Nikis’, is located in the 15th arrondissement and ESA HQ ‘Daumesnil’ houses the Directorate of Launchers in the 12th arrondissement.
Recently Invader visits The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, and is the largest! ESTEC is the technical heart – the incubator of the European space effort – where most ESA projects are born and where they are guided through the various phases of development.
We are loving these space-themed mosaics… and look forward to more invasions in ESA building! Big ups to ESA for working with the Invader on his invasion… you’re outta this world!
Check out our GraffitiStreet store of Space Invader goodies here
