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 22 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 OPS-SAT will undergo atmospheric reentry within May—June 2024.
Since launch in 2019, the experimental CubeSat has enabled teams from companies and universities in Europe and around the world to test and validate new innovations in satellite operations that would be too risky to try out on a flagship mission.
Its mission is now coming to an end: the satellite’s altitude is decreasing as it loses the battle against atmospheric drag. OPS-SAT is roughly the size and mass of a piece of aircraft carry-on luggage. So, there are no risks associated with the reentry.
However, it offers a rare chance to gather valuable data.
Find out more on the Rocket Science blog.