In the coming years, this control room will also host two more UK-backed Earth Explorer missions that are slated to be flown from ESOC, including Biomass – which will deliver crucial information on how the world’s forests are changing – and FORUM, which will provide new insight into the planet’s radiation budget and how it is controlled.

In addition, UK industry is supporting European leadership in space debris removal through involvement the development technology for ClearSpace-1, the first mission to remove an item of debris from orbit, planned for launch in 2025.

“UK expertise is also making vital contributions to the development of our new space weather mission called Vigil, which is expected to be flown from ESOC,” says Rolf Densing, ESA’s Director of Operations and Head of ESOC.

“The success of ESA’s Space Safety programme, based at ESOC, relies on strong support from our Member States, and the UK has a unique set of technical, scientific and industrial abilities that will be vital to help tackle the problems of space debris, planetary defence and hazardous solar activity.”