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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As part of the preparations to launch Aeolus on 21 August, the satellite has been cleaned, centimetre by centimetre. A faint purple light can be seen in the photo, but this is actually a powerful ultraviolet torch the team uses to detect particles of dust. If any particles are found, they are removed with a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner. This is a bit of a tedious task, but one that is necessary.