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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Umberto Guidoni, wearing the partial pressure launch and entry garment, prepares for the de-orbit phase of the 16-day flight STS-75. Guidoni represented the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The seven member crew was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on 22 February 1996, and landed on 9 March 1996. Crew members were Andrew M. Allen, mission commander; Scott J. Horowitz, pilot; Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, payload commander; and Maurizio Cheli, European Space Agency (ESA); Jeffrey A. Hoffman and Claude Nicollier, (ESA), all mission specialists; along with Guidoni. Photo: NASA