European Space Operations Centre
The European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) serves as the main mission control centre for the European Space Agency (ESA) and is located in Darmstadt, Germany. ESOC's primary function is the operation of uncrewed spacecraft on behalf of ESA and the launch and early orbit phases (LEOP) of ESA and third-party missions. The Centre is also responsible for a range of operations-related activities within ESA and in cooperation with ESA's industry and international partners, including ground systems engineering, software development, flight dynamics and navigation, development of mission control tools and techniques and space debris studies.
ESOC Main Control Room in Darmstadt | |
| Abbreviation | ESOC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 8 September 1967 |
| Type | IGO |
| Purpose | Spacecraft ground control |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 49°52′16″N 8°37′22″E |
Head of Establishment | Rolf Densing |
Parent organization | European Space Agency |
Staff | >800 |
| Website | www |
| Remarks | ESOC is one of nine establishments operated by ESA |
ESOC's current major activities comprise operating planetary and solar missions, such as Mars Express and the Trace Gas Orbiter, astronomy & fundamental physics missions, such as Gaia and XMM Newton, and Earth observation missions such as CryoSat2 and Swarm.
ESOC is responsible for developing, operating and maintaining ESA's ESTRACK network of ground stations. Teams at the Centre are also involved in research and development related to advanced mission control concepts and Space Situational Awareness, and standardisation activities related to frequency management; mission operations; tracking, telemetry and telecommanding; and space debris.