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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Engineers dressed in Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble, or SCAPE suits, prepare to fuel Planck with liquid hydrazine on 15 April 2009.
Planck will use its thrusters, propelled by liquid hydrazine, for manoeuvres in orbit. This is a volatile and toxic substance, commonly used as rocket fuel. The critical fuelling operations required plenty of preparation, including safety training exercises for the fuelling team, and was executed with great care.