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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ESA component engineer Andrew Barnes explains the Agency’s work with gallium nitride (GaN), described as the most promising semiconductor since silicon. Working with academia and industry through the ‘GaN Reliability Enhancement and Technology Transfer Initiative’ (GREAT2), dedicated European supply chains have been set for space-capable GaN components, with Europe’s first GaN-based part flown on the Proba-V minisatellite in 2013. Now GREAT2 has flight heritage behind it, a range of further missions and applications are being worked on.
To learn more, read Andrew's interview