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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ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet climbing into his Russian Orlan spacesuit at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre near Moscow.
The Orlan suit allows astronauts and cosmonauts to venture outside the International Space Station for up to 7 hours to install new equipment or conduct maintenance and repair.
Training with the suits underwater allows astronauts to get a feeling of working in weightlessness.