ESTEC stands for the European Space Research and Technology Centre. It is an establishment of the European Space Agency (ESA) located in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
ESTEC is the primary research and development center for the European space program, responsible for the design, testing, and verification of European space missions.
It also provides technical support for space missions and systems, as well as training and education for engineers, scientists, and technicians working in the space sector.
Examples of activities that take place at ESTEC include:
- The testing and verification of spacecraft and space-related equipment before they are launched into space.
- The development of new technologies and innovations for space missions.
- The training of engineers and other space professionals in various aspects of space technology and operations.
- The coordination of European space research and technology activities with other international space agencies and organizations.
ESTEC is one of the main centers of the European Space Agency, and plays a crucial role in the design and development of European space missions and technology, and it also hosts a number of key facilities and test centres.