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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CNES astronaut Patrick Baudry became the second French citizen in space, after Jean-Loup Chrétien, when he flew on NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985. He flew with fellow crew members Daniel Brandenstein, John Creighton, Shannon Lucid, Steven Nagel, John Fabian and Prince Sultan Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, totalling seven days in space.
The STS-51G design shows the advances in aviation technology in the USA in the short span of the 20th century, with the Wright biplane underneath the orbiter. The flags and names of the two non-US crew members appear at the bottom of the circular design.