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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Hubble's third-generation rigid solar array tested at ESTEC in the Large Space Simulator (LSS) test chamber, which was not available when the earlier European-made Hubble arrays had been constructed. The technicians prepare to disconnect it from the crane. This US array is a third smaller than previous European designs, with no need for flexibility since it is not going to be returned to Earth on a Space Shuttle.
ESTEC, Noordwijk, 23 October 2000. (Hubble Servicing Mission 3B)