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 High Power Radio Frequency Laboratory's activities include a close study of corona discharge effects. They are induced by the presence of vestigial gases around the space-based RF system, perhaps due to outgassing as system components heat up or else the leaking of air trapped inadvertently inside spacecraft parts. This air is ionised by high-power RF signals, causing glowing discharges which can lead to localised heating as well as signal degradation and sometimes harmful electrical discharges.