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| OverviewESOC virtual tourMission historyFrequently asked questions At ESOC Mission operationsESTRACK tracking stationsGround Systems Engineering About Ground Systems Engineering Research and Technology DevelopmentEuropean software excellenceFlight DynamicsESA Navigation FacilityESA Space Debris OfficeGround Station EngineeringActivities External servicesHSO ExchangeESA Ground Operation System (EGOS)Multimedia ESA Multimedia galleryMedia Centre Press ReleasesServices PublicationsESA-sponsored ConferencesHelpPortal terms of useSubscribeVisiting ESOC Getting to ESOCGuided toursContact ESOC
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| | | |  | | | | Building infrastructure on Earth to support satellites in space
ESA’s Ground Systems Engineering TeamWhether travelling near Earth or deep in our Solar System, every spacecraft is supported by a sophisticated ground segment comprising computers, software, telecommunications and other resources that enable engineers to send up commands and receive data from the onboard instruments.
We are specialists in designing, building and maintaining ground segments for satellite missions. We design, build and maintain deep-space tracking stations, provide flight dynamics, navigation and mission-analysis services and develop some of Europe’s best mission control software — now in use by industries as diverse as air traffic control and energy distribution.
ESA's ground systems engineering team works with commercial partners to advance the state of European space technology, boosting industrial competitiveness. We provide state-of-the-art services and cooperate closely with European national space agencies, NASA and many other international organisations.
Young Graduate Trainees
We regularly offer attractive positions under ESA's YGT programme. Trainees are tutored by experienced staff members and develop unique expertise in space software development. For more information, access the YGT section of the ESA website.
Our teams | | | | | | | | | | Research and Technology Development
Coming missions require new technologies to meet the challenges of higher performance, reduced costs and new concepts such as autonomous space systems or ‘Internet in Space’. This requires a strong focus on research and technology (R&T) development.
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| | | | | | | | | | European software excellence
Without sophisticated software, it would be impossible to operate a modern space mission. ESA's mission operations software experts design and develop software systems used in ground segments to carry out satellite control, mission planning, simulations, training and ground station control and management.
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| | | | | | | | | | Flight Dynamics
ESA’s Flight Dynamics team uses cutting-edge computational techniques to plan, determine and control complex spacecraft trajectories. We apply fundamental physics and mathematics to 21st century spacecraft orbiting Earth and voyaging deep into our Solar System.
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| | | | | | | | | | ESA Navigation Facility
The Navigation Facility provides products and services related to global navigation satellite systems in support of ESA missions and to European customers such as Eumetsat and to worldwide customers through its participation in the International Global Navigation Satellite Systems (IGNSS) Services group.
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| | | | | | | | | | ESA Space Debris Office
The Space Debris Office coordinates ESA's research activities in all major debris disciplines. These include measurements, modelling, protection, and mitigation. It also coordinates such activities with national research efforts with space agencies in Italy (ASI), the United Kingdom (BNSC), France (CNES) and Germany (DLR). Together with ESA, these national agencies form the European Network of Competences on Space Debris (SD NoC).
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| | | | | | | | | | Ground Station Engineering
ESA's Estrack network is a worldwide system of ground stations providing links between spacecraft in orbit and our Operations Control Centre in Darmstadt. The Estrack core comprises 10 stations in seven countries, including three 35 m-diameter deep-space stations in Australia, Spain and Argentina.
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Last update: 20 January 2012
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