  The JEM-EUSO mission aims to explore the origin of the extreme energy cosmic
rays (EECRs) through the observation of air-shower fluorescence light from
space. The superwide-field telescope looks down from the International Space
Station onto the night sky to detect UV photons (fluorescence and Cherenkov
photons) emitted from air showers. Such a space detector offers the remarkable
opportunity to observe a huge volume of atmosphere at once and will achieve an
unprecedented statistics within a few years of operation. Several test
experiments are currently in operation: e.g., one to observe the fluorescence
background from the edge of the Atmosphere (EUSO-Balloon), or another to
demonstrate on ground the capability of detecting air showers with a EUSO-type
telescope (EUSO-TA). In this contribution a short review on the scientific
objectives of the mission and an update of the instrument definition,
performances and status, as well as status of the test experiments will be
given.
