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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David Dale (standing left), ESA Director of Technical and Operational Support, receives a souvenir of the STS-95 Shuttle mission from Commander Curt Brown during a ceremony at ESTEC on 22 January 1999. The 9-day STS-95 mission, launched on 29 October 1998, included ESA astronaut Pedro Duque on his first spaceflight and 77-year-old John Glenn, the first American in orbit (1962). Duque and most of the crew toured Spain and ESA establishments 11-21 January 1999 before moving on to Japan. [Image Date: 22-01-99] [99.01.010-051]