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
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
During a simulated pad emergency on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-134 Mission Specialists Roberto Vittori, with the European Space Agency, front, and Michael Fincke, Pilot Greg H. Johnson, and Commander Mark Kelly make their way toward a slidewire basket that would take them to a safe bunker below the pad in an unlikely emergency situation. The emergency training while aboard space shuttle Endeavour is part of a week-long Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.