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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Prior to the launch of ATV, its cleaning team at the launch site in French Guiana tracked ‘bioburden’ levels by exposing containers of nutrient gel for 30 seconds beside a surface to be cleaned. Q-tips and swabs were additionally wielded, to check cargo bags and operator gowns. These samples are then incubated in an oven heated to 37 °C at ESA's partner the Pasteur Institute in nearby Cayenne. Within four to seven days we identify the microbial colonies growing in the gel, if any, then count the population size.