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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One of the crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour photographed this scene of the International Space Station (ISS) as the two spacecraft were preparing to link up in Earth orbit on 18 May 2011. The 'extra' glares and reflections are inside Endeavour’s crew cabin. Not long after the picture was taken, the two spacecraft docked, and six astronauts aboard were welcomed by six crew members on the ISS to join forces for continued work on the station.