The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicAndré Kuipers during Soyuz training at Star City ahead of the DELTA Mission to the International Space Station, planned for April 2004. In an extreme emergency Kuipers will have to manually steer the Soyuz return capsule to a safe landing. During training at Star City this is practiced using the manual controls in a giant centrifuge, which simulates the G-forces that are experienced during re-entry. (February 2004)