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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LISA Pathfinder’s science module (the white- and gold-coloured structure) and solar array (the grey panel).
At the heart of the science module lies the LISA Technology Package. This contains inertial sensors, an optical metrology system, the payload computer and a diagnostic system. The inertial sensors and optical metrology system provide signals to the Drag-Free and Attitude Control System, which in turn commands three clusters of cold-gas micronewton thrusters, as well as feeding back to the inertial sensors.
The small appendages seen on the outside of the module are micronewton thrusters, which continually apply miniscule amounts of force to move the spacecraft and keep it centred on the master test mass.
The science module is 231 cm in diameter, 96 cm tall and weighs 450 kg.
The solar array provides the spacecraft with solar power and shields it from the Sun.