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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Naples and the Mount Vesuvius, one of the three major active volcanoes in Italy, seen from space.
ESA's Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli took this photo on Christmas eve from the International Space Station, where he is serving as a flight engineer with Cady Coleman, Dmitri Kondratyev, Oleg Skripochka, Alexander Kaleri and commander Scott Kelly.
Paolo’s MagISStra mission is Europe’s third long-duration mission on the ISS. He will land back to Earth in June 2010.