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
Go to topic27.12.2001. Every Christmas the Acquarium of Barcelona, Spain, organises a special event attended by a person of note, in order to raise funds for a charitable organization chosen by that year’s guest. The highlight of the event is when the guest, together with staff of the acquarium dive, into the biggest tank which has a message of peace at the bottom.
2001 was the seventh year that this event has taken place. On this occasion, the Spanish ESA astronaut Pedro Duque was chosen as the special guest. At the press conference that followed, Pedro spoke of his life as an astronaut.