Take A Virtual Tour Of ESRIN - ESA'S Centre In Italy

TECH SPACE

ESRIN is a European Space Agency establishment located in Frascati, near Rome. This centre was created in 1966. One of its chief tasks consists of the utilisation of the telesurveying data obtained through the earth observation mission performed by ESA¿s own satellites and those of other countries through the Earthnet programme. To carry out this task, ESRIN operates ground infrastructures consisting of some 30 data reception stations scattered all over the world. Once the data have been obtained, they are processed and filed before distribution to the final users, which is effected partly on a commercial basis, thus also generating economic returns. In the framework of the European earth observation programme, ESRIN is also responsible for the development operations regarding the Envisat satellite¿s Payload Data System (PDS). This mission, with is load of complex, advanced instruments on board, will transmit earthwards an enormous quantity of data that must be processed for their various fields of application. A special building has been dedicated to housing the infrastructure control and management equipment for the ground segment of Envisat. Another fundamental task carried out by ESRIN is the management of the Agency¿s entire informatics system. Frascati also hosts the team responsible for the programme for the development of a small three stage satellite launcher named Vega, which is to weigh less than 1.000 kg. Credits: ESA-S. Corvaja.

Frascati, Italy (ESA) Sep 21, 2005
A new site launched today takes a fresh look at ESRIN, ESA's centre in Italy. Learn more about the activities taking place here in Frascati and enjoy a virtual tour of the site.

ESRIN is also known as the ESA Centre for Earth Observation. Located in Frascati, a small town 20 km south of Rome in Italy, ESRIN was established in 1966 and first began acquiring data from environmental satellites in the 1970s.

Earth observation

Earth Observation data has grown in importance as more and more international and national agencies recognise the many uses to which it can be put. Satellites for Earth observation keep a constant watch over the Earth and the data they provide help to safeguard the planet in which we live.

Since 2004, ESRIN has been the headquarters for ESA's Earth Observation activities. Dr Liebig, the Head of ESRIN, is also the Director of Earth Observation.

A multi-faceted centre

A number of other activities are also carried out at ESRIN, each of which is making an important contribution to ESA's work.

Vega Programme: the management team for Europe's new small-scale launcher
Information systems: the design, development, provision and maintenance of the information systems and software used by the Agency
Telecom lab: providing European industry and institutions with easier access to space telecom infrastructure
European Centre for Space Records: appraising and preserving the valuable technical records of completed ESA projects
ESA Web Portal: keeping the public informed about ESA's many activities
Virtual Reality Theatre: visual presentations of complex Earth Observation and geographic data for both specialists and students

How ESRIN works

ESRIN acts as an interface between ESA and those who use its services. The centre has close links with European industry, the European Union and the civil protection, agriculture and environment ministries within ESA Member States.

ESRIN also cooperates with international organisations including UN agencies and the European Commission, and plays an important role in many international projects. These include the Geosphere/Biosphere Programme, the Committee for Earth Observation Systems and the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters.

In all its activities ESRIN pursues ESA's objective of increasing interaction with users in order to develop new products and services, and support the competitiveness of the European space industry. ESRIN is helping to bring about a fertile mix between the two worlds of science and space applications for the benefit of all Europeans.

TECH SPACE

ESA's New Deep Space Antenna In Cebreros Becomes A Reality

Cebreros, Spain (ESA) Sep 19, 2005
ESA's new deep space radio antenna in Cebreros (Avila, Spain) will be officially inaugurated on 28 September. The new 35-metre antenna is ESA's second facility devoted to communications with spacecraft on interplanetary missions or placed in very distant orbits.

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