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 Galileo launch dispenser, designed for Arianespace by RUAG Space Sweden, secured the twin Galileo IOV satellites in place during the take-off of their Soyuz ST-B. The satellites remained attached to the dispenser for about three hours 40 minutes after launch. Then, when the three-stage Soyuz ST-B’s additional Fregat MT upper stage reached the planned 23,222 km orbit, the dispenser fired a pyrotechnic separation system to release them in opposing directions.