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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Sample degradation after BepiColombo lifetime testing for ceramic reflective-surface thermal control materials. Only the central circle of each sample is exposed during testing, the border of each square revealing the original hue. Testing took place at 450˚C with UV radiation equivalent 10 times the sun for 25 000 hours under high vacuum conditions. The smaller the difference between the centre and the edge, the more successful the test.