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 topicThree different launch vehicles operate from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. ESA’s downrange telemetry station network is an essential part of every mission and feeds back information about the conditions on board the launcher, its performance, trajectory and the injection of the satellites into space. This is crucial information for engineers, customers and flight specialists.
ESA’s cooperation with Gabon in tracking and telemetry services dates back to 1986 with the installation of the Libreville downrange station in N’Koltang for Ariane launches, which is operated by France’s CNES space agency on behalf of ESA.
The network includes stations in Galliot (French Guiana), Natal (Brazil), Ascension Island (UK) in the South Atlantic Ocean, Libreville (Gabon) and Malindi (Kenya).