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-selected Mars500 crewmember Oliver Knickel uses the telephone inside the special isolation facility in Moscow. Knickel is one of six crewmembers spending 105 days inside the facility for the Mars500 study. During their stay in the facility, the crew will experience aspects of a mission to the Red Planet, including launch, the outward journey, arrival at Mars and, after an excursion to the surface, the long journey home. Their mission will help prepare for a real human mission to Mars in the future. The crew entered the isolation facility on 31 March 2009.