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 (IT) was the first European to fly to the International Space Station on the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-100 mission in April 2001.
The STS-100 (6A) patch reflects the complex interaction of robotics and extravehicular activity on this mission. Spacewalks were conducted to deploy the ISS Remote Manipulator System (RMS). The EVA helmet frames the patch, with the Canadian-built RMS shown below the visor. Reflected in the visor is the Shuttle Endeavour, with the ISS rising above the horizon at sunrise. In the Shuttle's payload bay is a Spacelab pallet, holding the RMS and the Space Station Ultra High Frequency Antenna, and the Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Module 'Raffaello'.
US, Russian, Canadian and Italian astronauts are represented by their stylised flags in the lower part of the patch. Ten stars represent the children of the STS-100 crew and the future of space exploration.