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 Probe is shown instrumented with many acceleration sensors, undergoing vibration testing without its multi-layer insulation (MLI) blanket installed. The seven supporting struts connecting the 3 separation mechanisms on the Probe to the vibrator are replicas of those which attach to the Cassini spacecraft. The white outer surface of the back cover (below) and the rear of the front shield is the covering of Prosial - a spray-on thermal insulation consisting of extremely small glass balloons in an epoxy mixture. The MLI blanket attachment points are the black buttons on the back cover and the white velcro patches on the red tiles of the front shield. [Image Date: 01-01-97] [97.05.006-004]