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 astronaut candidates with their international colleagues at the European Astronaut Centre, in Cologne, Germany, on 28 July 2010.
On the stairs, left to right: Jeremy Hansen (CSA, David Saint-Jacques (CSA), Jeanette Epps (NASA), Kjell Lindgren (NASA), Michael Hopkins (NASA), Serena Aunon (NASA), Kate Rubins (NASA).
Standing, left to right: Andreas Mogensen (ESA), Kimiya Yui (JAXA), Alexander Gerst(ESA), Thomas Pesquet(ESA), Mark Vande Hei (NASA), Samantha Christoforetti(ESA).
Crouching left to right: Norishige Kanai(JAXA), Scott Tingle (NASA), Takuya Onishi (JAXA), Luca Parmitano(ESA), Jack Fischer (NASA), Reid Wiseman (NASA).