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
Go to topicLaminar, turbulent und vorticity flows on the wing profile
Upper diagram: A laminar flow. The air particles flow parallel in ordered layers over the upper wing surface
Middle diagram: A turbulent flow. The air particles start at approximately the broadest part of the profile to break off in disordered motion
Lower diagram: Vortex flow. With a large angle of incidence the air particles begin to break off from the surrounding flow of the wing and to form vortices