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
Go to topicESAs mission to Mercury started its long test campaign when the European Mercury Planetary Orbiter felt the heat of the sun for the first time in ESAs large Space Simulator at ESTEC in The Netherlands. The results were excellent with the radiator, venetian blinds and multilayer insulation performing exactly as exspected. A few heat leaks were identified that will require design modifications but this is exactly why ESA do such important tests. So as with most ESA space exploration missions Bepi Colombo will drive technologies that will no doubt find other applications while fulfilling its intended role in further investigating the mysteries of our solar system.
More backgroud information can be found on: http://www.esa.int/esaSC/120391_index_0_m.html