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 Umberto Guidoni training in Houston, USA, for his Space Shuttle mission STS-100 to the International Space Station that was launched 19 April 2001, making him the first European to work in the research laboratory.
Umberto was a mission specialist on Space Shuttle mission STS-100 that delivered elements and equipment to the International Space Station, including the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello as well as the first Canadian robotic arm that was used to assemble the Space Station.
This was his second mission after a 16-day spaceflight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. Umberto became a member of the European Parliament in 2004.
In the background is Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield who flew with Umberto on STS-100, also his second mission.