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.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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On 10 October, ESA’s deep-space radio dish in Cebreros, Spain, transmitted an 866 sec interstellar message towards the North Star as part of the international “A Simple Response” project.
This 30 sec exposure was taken just as the 35 m-diameter dish completed rotating from pointing at the the North Star back to the vertical parked position.
This week and next, the Cebreros antenna will play a crucial role in the arrival of ESA’s ExoMars orbiter and lander at the Red Planet, set for 19 October. It will communicate with both the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and the older Mars Express.
More information on Cebreros station