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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Cady Coleman, Dimitri Kondratyev and Paolo Nespoli saw their Soyuz launcher on 11 December 2010 in Baikonur. The 20 nozzles of five rocket engines and 12 small Vernier rockets, installed in central part of the launcher and four boosters, bacame alive on 15 December and pushed the Soyuz spacectaft to space.
The crew will stay at the International Space Station (ISS) for a long-duration mission till May 2011 as members of Expeditions 26 and 27.
This is the third six-month mission by a European astronaut on the Station.