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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Accurate mounting of electroforming tools on the gold-plated mandrel for one of XMM's mirrors before nickel electroforming at Media Lario, Bosisio Parini, Italy. Mirror manufacturing was based on a replication process, which transferred a gold layer deposited on the highly polished master mandrel to the electrolytic nickel shell that was electroformed onto the gold. [Image Date: 02-12-96] [96.12.002-016]