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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LISA Pathfinder's laser interferometer combines a pair of carefully reflected laser beams in order to take measurements of the test masses' relative positions down to atomic scale. Not just the mirrors but much of the interferometer system's structure is made of Zerodur glass which is essentially immune to temperature-driven warping, ensuring its accuracy.