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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The Solar Orbiter spacecraft (seen in the background) is fuelled with propellants and oxidiser in the hazardous processing facility at Astrotech.
The spacecraft contains hydrazine and MON-3 – a mixture of oxides and nitrogen. Thrusters are used to control the attitude of the spacecraft once in space.
Special suits provide protection to the workers managing the fuelling in the cleanroom.
Solar Orbiter is a space mission of international collaboration between ESA and NASA. The spacecraft has been developed by Airbus. The image was taken at the Astrotech facilities in Titusville, Florida, USA.