ESOC, the European Space Operation Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany, is the control centre for ESA's space missions in orbit, using a network of nine ground stations throughout the world. Around 250 staff work at ESOC, supported by contractors.
ESRIN, located in Frascati, south of Rome, is responsible for the exploitation of the Agency's Earth Observation satellites, and for information systems and data processing. It has a staff of 130.
The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany is the training centre for ESA's astronauts. Twelve ESA astronauts, from five different European countries, have so far flown on space missions.
