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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The Descent Module, with the carbon fibre ring structure that is part of the connection to the Cassini orbiter, is shown being check-fitted with the front shield. The brown-coloured tiles covering the shield provide thermal isolation for the shield's carbon fibre structure (not visible) from the intense heat of the shock wave during entry. The colour variation of the sponge-structured, glass/epoxy tiles, which arises in the manufacturing process, does not affect their insulation properties. The white patches of velcro used to attach a covering layer of multilayer insulation, which assures thermal isolation during the 7-year cruise phase from Earth (1AU) to Saturn (9AU) via Venus (0.6 AU), can also be seen. [Image Date: 01-01-97] [97.05.006-005]