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 topicESA astronaut Luca Parmitano (IT) is assigned to fly on the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, under an agreement with the Italian space agency ASI and NASA, scheduled for May 2013 and as part of the Expedition 36/37 crew. Expedition 37 begins with Parmitano, cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg being joined by cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryanzansky, and NASA's Michael Hopkins in September 2013.
A competition was opened by ASI for Italian residents to suggest a mission name and logo. Norberto Cioffi, 32, from Milan, sent in the winning mission name ‘Volare’, which means ‘to fly’ in Italian. The name symbolises the search for new frontiers and opportunities for discovery.
The winning logo was designed by Ilaria Sardella, 28, from Taranto. This logo contains many elements of Luca’s mission: the Soyuz spacecraft that will fly him to the orbital outpost, the Station itself and the colours of the Italian flag. The orbits represent the human desire to travel beyond Earth and the Sun as well as our curiosity for knowledge.