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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ESA’s Young Professionals Satellite, YPSat, seen undergoing its initial thermal vacuum test in ESA’s Mechanical Systems Laboratory.
Sustained exposure to high-quality vacuum and temperature extremes mimic the conditions YPSat will experience in Earth orbit
YPSat is a project run in its entirety by ESA Young Professionals to give them direct early experience of designing, building and testing for space. Its goal is to capture all the key phases of Ariane 6's inaugural flight.
This ‘thermal vacuum’ testing was used to check the accuracy of the mathematical model of the payload’s thermal performance and verify its thermal control design – including the shiny multi-layer insulation it is wrapped in. The data from this initial test campaign will guide a follow-up thermal vacuum campaign planned for April.