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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ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli in his Russian Sokol suit at Star City, 15 November 2010.
He travelled to the International Space Station on a long-duration mission in December, serving as flight engineer for Expeditions 26 and 27. This was the third six-month mission by a European astronaut on the Station.
From December 2010 to May 2011 he ran an intensive programme of experiments, ranging from radiation monitoring to measurements that could improve oil recovery in petroleum reservoirs.
His duties aboard the Station included participating in the docking of two unmanned cargo craft: Europe’s second Automated Transfer Vehicle Johannes Kepler, and the second Japanese HII Transfer Vehicle (HTV). Paolo was the prime operator for berthing HTV to the Station after the free-flying vehicle was been captured by crewmate Catherine Coleman.