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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Highlights of Horizons docking and hatch opening with ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst.
The Expedition 56/57 crew, including NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Roscosmos commander Sergei Prokopyev, orbited Earth 34 times before docking at the International Space Station on 8 June at 13:01 GMT (15:01 CEST).
After successful pressure checks, the Soyuz MS-09 crew entered the Space Station.
The trio was launched into space on 6 June at 11:12 GMT (13:12 CEST) from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Alexander and the Space Station crew will have a day of rest tomorrow, 9 June, after which he will launch into the 50+ European experiments planned during the Horizons mission.
Follow Alexander and his mission via alexandergerst.esa.int.