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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Control room of the Soyuz TMA simulator at the Cagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Paolo Nespoli, ESA's Italian astronaut, underwent an exhaustive training there prior his to long-duration mission MagISStra to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is planned for 15 December 2010. Nespoli will serve as flight engineer for Expeditions 26 and 27. This will be the third six-month mission by a European astronaut on the Station.