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's Mechanical Systems Laboratory uses vacuum chambers for two main types of thermal testing. Thermal cycling is executed to verify the performance of the test article while it is subjected to maximum and minimum temperatures and the transitions in-between. Thermal balance is executed to validate the thermal design and the thermal model that is used for flight performance predictions.