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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Interkosmos cosmonaut Vladimír Remek was the first Czech in space and the first cosmonaut from a country other than Russia or the United States (Remek is considered to be the first 'European' in space). He flew on Soyuz 28 with fellow cosmonaut Alexei Gubarev, 2-10 March 1978, for almost 8 days.
The patch was designed and produced by the Russian Zvezda corporation. When the Interkosmos organisation was formed in 1976, new emblems for uniforms and pressure suits were needed to reflect the cooperative nature of the missions. When it was announced in 1977 that Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and East Germany would be participating in Interkosmos flights, it is likely that Zvezda was asked to produce the Bulgarian, Czechoslovak and East German joint mission Sokol-K suits and mission patches.