Facilities
Every space mission begins on the ground.
About ESTEC Test Centre
Satellites are expensive, and once in orbit they cannot be fixed. This is why a satellite must be tested thoroughly before it is sent into space.
ESA's technical heart
ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) is located in Noordwijk in the Netherlands.
It is here that most ESA projects are born and guided through the various phases of development. More than 2000 specialists work here on dozens of projects spanning space science, exploration, telecommunications, human spaceflight, satellite navigation and Earth observation.
ESTEC houses over 35 specialised laboratories and the largest satellite test centre in Europe.
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ESTEC laboratories
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Highlights from ESTEC Open Day 2026
Every year, ESTEC opens its doors to the public. Visitors of all ages are welcome to meet astronauts, chat with space experts and even take a peek at real spacecraft!
How it all began
The European Space Technology and Research Centre, ESTEC, was inaugurated on 3 April 1968. Read more about its history.
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The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a founding Member State of ESA and has played a central role in European space activities since the Agency’s creation in 1975.
