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 topic
Engineers and scientists at ESOC spend considerable time selecting orbits, developing procedures and building the ground segment infrastructure that supports a satellite in flight.
In the months prior to a launch, a 'team of teams' conducts intense training and simulations to be ready for any contingency. After lift-off, the satellite separates from its booster, and ESOC mission controllers assume command. During LEOP - the critical launch and early orbit phase - the operation of solar arrays and other on-board systems must be fully confirmed, followed by the check-out and switch-on of scientific payloads. Satellites travel to low-Earth orbit, geostationary orbit and deep into interplanetary space, orbiting the Sun, Mars and other celestial bodies. ESOC controls the Agency's ESTRACK network, a global system of tracking stations that transmit commands and receive valuable scientific data. ESOC is also responsible for tracking space debris, a growing threat to commercial and scientific exploitation of near-Earth orbits, and for developing new techniques and tools for mission operations.