European Space Astronomy Centre

ESAC is located in Guadarrama’s valley, 30Km western Madrid, in a quiet area among oaks and black poplars surrounded by antennas and a castle from the XV century. Founded in 1975 after an international agreement between ESA and the Spanish government, ESAC is part of the international network of stations "ESTRACK" belonging to ESA.

In 2004, the Satellite Tracking Station of Villafranca del Castillo (Vilspa) officially became ESAC (European Space Astronomy Centre), the ESA’s Centre for the exploitation of data acquired during its scientific missions.

In 2008, INSA renewed the agreement with ESA for the provision of operations and maintenance services for satellite telemetry, tracking and command and data acquisition for ESAC and Cebreros until 2013. INSA also provides the general services of ESAC by delegation of the European Space Agency.