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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Two Russian spacecraft enjoy a ride over the Alps in this image taken from the International Space Station.
On the left is the Soyuz MS-05 that brought ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and fellow crew mates NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik and cosmonaut Sergey Ryazansky to the Station in July.
On the right is the Russian cargo vehicle Progress 68P, which docked to the Station with fresh supplies in mid-October.
Both vehicles will return to Earth in December just a week apart, with the Progress burning up upon reentry and the Soyuz landing in the Kazakh steppe with Paolo, Randy and Sergey.
Follow the VITA mission: http://blogs.esa.int/VITAmission/
Connect with Paolo during his five-month Vita mission via http://paolonespoli.esa.int