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
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Five astronauts based at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and two payload specialists take a break from their training schedule to pose for the STS-95 pre-flight portrait.
Seated are astronauts Curtis L. Brown Jr. (right), mission commander; and Steven W. Lindsey, pilot. Standing, from the left, are Scott F. Parazynski and Stephen K. Robinson, both mission specialists; Chiaki Mukai, payload specialist representing Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA); Pedro Duque, mission specialist representing the European Space Agency (ESA); and U.S. Sen. John H. Glenn Jr., payload specialist.
The seven were launched into Earth orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on 29 October 1998.