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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Backdropped against the waters of Cook Strait near New Zealand's South Island, Russia's Mir space station is seen from the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis. The two spacecraft were in the process of making their third docking, on 23 March 1996. With the subsequent delivery of NASA astronaut Shannon Lucid to Mir, the Mir-21 crew grew to three, as the mission specialist quickly became a cosmonaut guest researcher. [Image Date: 23-03-96] [97.06.011-003]