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 topicThe two main modules of the MetOp-FM2 satellite; the Payload Module, built by EADS Astrium in Friedichshafen (Germany) and the Service Module, built by EADS Astrium in Toulouse (France) were coupled together for the first time in July 2004.
Following this coupling the satellite has been subjected to tests to demonstrate the compatibility between the two modules and then to demonstrate correct functional behaviour at system level.