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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These 9 m-high spike-lined walls enclose the hushed interior of ESA’s Maxwell test chamber, which isolates satellites from all external influences to assess their electromagnetic compatibility.
Once its main door is sealed, the metal walls of the chamber form a ‘Faraday Cage’, screening out external electromagnetic signals. The ‘anechoic’ foam pyramids covering its interior absorb internal signals – as well as sound – to prevent any reflection, mimicking the infinite void of space.
The satellite’s systems are then switched on to detect any harmful interference as its various elements operate together.
Maxwell is part of the test centre in ESA’s technical heart in Noordwijk, the Netherlands – Europe’s largest satellite testing facility.