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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Up at the top of the atmosphere the oxygen we breathe is replaced by highly reactive ‘atomic oxygen’ – created by high-energy ultraviolet splitting apart oxygen molecules into separate atoms. Low-orbiting space missions can be susceptible; the effect was first uncovered as early Space Shuttles returned to Earth with their thermal blankets eaten through. ESA’s Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory was tasked with investigating the resilience of ‘beta cloth’ fibre intended for ESA’s Aeolus wind-mapping mission. Testing took place using the Lab’s atomic oxygen generator, followed by microscopic inspection.