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 Andre Kuipers (right) with former NASA astronaut Jeff Hoffman at the Second European Symposium for the Utilisation of the International Space Station, held at ESTEC 16-18 November 1998. Kuipers was announced as Europe's newest astronaut on 5 October 1998. He will begin training around mid-1999 to qualify for future missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Kuipers is a specialist in space-related medical research. [Image Date: 1998/11] [98.11.009-044]