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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Testing the deployment of Altius’ solar panel at QinetiQ’s facilities in Belgium in June 2021. The test carried out was on one solar panel wing attached to the structural thermal model of the satellite. The procedure involved manual deployment, as well as firing the release mechanisms shown in the video. Engineers will test the deployment of the solar panels again in August 2021, but this time in thermal vacuum conditions.