ESA’s European Space Research Institute, better known as ESA ESRIN, is our establishment in Italy.
Located in Frascati, near Rome, it was founded in 1966 as part of the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO), one of ESA’s predecessor organisations, and became an ESA establishment when the Agency was created in 1975.
Dedicated to Earth-observing activities, ESA ESRIN is the European centre of excellence for exploitation of Earth observation missions. Our teams here acquire, process, archive and distribute data from our Earth observation missions, including the Copernicus Sentinel satellites, making them available to scientists, institutions and users around the world.
ESRIN is also home to the team managing the Vega programme, which includes the Vega launch vehicle and its more powerful successor, Vega-C. The site also hosts the development team of Space Rider, Europe’s first reusable space transportation system, designed to provide access to low-Earth orbit and return to Earth.
Since 2013, ESRIN hosts the Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre (NEOCC), the central access point for European near-Earth object data within ESA’s Planetary Defence Office.
Beyond these activities, ESRIN develops ESA-wide corporate software and security measures for classified space programmes. It also houses the European Centre for Space Records, which preserves the technical records and archives of completed ESA projects for future generations.
A day inside ESA ESRIN
Activities at ESA ESRIN
Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre
ESA’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre (NEOCC) is the operational heart of the Agency’s Planetary Defence Office.
Getting to ESRIN
ESRIN is located in Frascati, a small town 20 km south of Rome in Italy.
Mediemodal
Mediemodal
Latest news
ESA Open Day in the framework of European Researchers’ Night
ESA will open its doors to members of the public at its Earth Observation centre in Frascati, near Rome, Italy, on 29 September, as part of its annual open day.
Immagine EO della Settimana: Rodi bruciata
Questa estate l'Europa ha vissuto un'ondata di caldo implacabile, che ha alimentato incendi in diversi Paesi. Questa immagine Copernicus Sentinel-1 mostra i segni lasciati dagli incendi sull'isola greca di Rodi.
A night to remember
On Friday 27 September ESA-ESRIN welcomed more than 1000 guests on its premises to celebrate European Researchers’ Night and raise awareness of ESA and space activities in the general public.
ESRIN in images
