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 Frank De Winne (second right), Expedition 20 flight engineer and Expedition 21 commander; along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk (left), cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, all Expedition 20/21 flight engineers, pose for a portrait following an Expedition 20/21 preflight press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center. De Winne, Romanenko and Thirsk are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in May 2009. Stott is scheduled to travel to the station aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in August 2009.