Technology and Innovation

ESA oversees a steady stream of technology development, bringing new missions into the realm of the possible while also underpinning the continued competitiveness of European industry in global markets. 

ESA coordinates a Europe-wide Technology Harmonisation process with European and national partners, setting up detailed technology roadmaps to coordinate different stages of R&D to ensure Europe’s investment in space goes as far as possible. 

ESA’s specialist teams at their ESTEC technical centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, assist in every aspect of developing and testing technologies for space. ESTEC is also home to Europe’s largest satellite test centre, equipped with facilities for all aspects of testing under a single roof.