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 Herschel cryostat seen through a door in the fairing of the Ariane 5. The cryostat will be flushed with helium via vents that pass through such doors until the day before launch when the cryostat will be closed, the vents and auxiliary connections removed, and the doors of the fairing shut. This process keeps the cryostat and the instrument detectors as cool as possible.