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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European astronauts have been flying in space since 1983, taking part in numerous challenging space missions onboard the US space shuttle and the Russian MIR station, gaining a wealth of experience in many different disciplines.
Since 2001 they have been flying to the ISS to carry out scientific and technological research and essential spacewalks, or extra-vehicular activity, to assemble key elements of the Station.
In 2008 Hans Schlegel and Léopold Eyharts delivered the Columbus laboratory, one of Europe's major contributions to the ISS. Frank De Winne will fly to the ISS in 2009 for the 6-month OasISS mission, during which he will become the first European to take over the command of the ISS.
With the station fast nearing completion, and with a full crew of 6 on board, astronauts will be able to dedicate more time to conducting experiments to bring new benefits to Earth and to prepare for future manned missions further into the Solar System.
In 2008 a recruitment campaign for the European Astronaut Corps attracted over 10,000 applicants. After rigorous tests and interviews, four new astronauts will be selected to take up training at the European Astronaut Center near Cologne in Germany.