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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Installation on the Huygens Descent Module of the CD-ROM containing more than 100000 signatures and messages from 'Earthlings' to be parachuted to the surface of Titan. Above can be seen the rear of the Front Shield and the complex mechanism that provides both fixation, and pyro-controlled separations, of the Probe from Cassini, of the Back Cover from the Front Shield and finally, of the Front Shield from the DM. Also visible on the DM are one (of two) transmitter antenna (black) and one (of three) parachute jettison (pyro) device that provides for change-over from the main parachute to the smaller stabiliser chute. Both parachutes are stored in the rectangular box by the technician's elbow. [Image Date: 01-03-97] [97.03.002-017]