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 International Space Station experiences big changes in temperature as it goes from sunlight to darkness twice every 90 minutes in outer space.
The thermal control system pumps fluids through the Station to keep the temperature stable for astronauts, experiments and equipment.
The internal water loop collects heat from the cabin air, experiments and equipment via cold plates and via an air conditioner similar to those used on Earth.
The heat collected inside the station transferred to an external loop via heat exchangers. The external fluid loop contains ammonia instead of water.