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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Laser target: What looks like another rectangular antenna at the top of the Galileo satellite is actually a laser retroreflector. Once or twice a year, a laser beam is shone up each satellite by the international Laser Ranging Service – maintaining a map of laser stations around the globe – to deliver a ranging accuracy down to under a centimetre, significantly better than the half metre or so precision of S-band radio ranging.
#TwelveThingsYouNeverKnewAboutGalileoSatellites