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.
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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 first hot fire test of the Pressure Oscillation Demonstrator – eXperimental (POD-X) demonstrator took place at the French military procurement agency test site in southwest France on 11 March 2014.
POD-X is an experimental simulator used to measure pressure oscillations in solid rocket boosters for present and future launchers. It incorporates 263 sensors, is 6 m long and 70 cm in diameter and can hold 2700 kg of propellant. Testing can last for 27-30 seconds at a nominal pressure of 65 bars.