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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Plasma wind tunnel tests being performed in the L2K and L3K facilities of the German Aerospace Center DLR at its Cologne facility. The test conditions aim to mimic the conditions faced by spacecraft during uncontrolled atmospheric reentry at the end of their working lifetimes. The video shows the three metallic materials – aluminium alloy, titanium alloy and stainless steel – which are often used on satellite and launcher upper stages being submitted to the plasma flow.