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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Spacelab-1 on orbit, the European purpose-built laboratory is shown inside the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Columbia. The Spacelab-1 mission was launched on 28 November 1983 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. On board was German astronaut Ulf Merbold, the first ESA astronaut in space.