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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Many fans of ESA astronaut André Kuipers gathered to welcome him on 30 August 2012 in Noordwijk, the Netherlands near ESA’s ESTEC technical centre.
Seated from left are Thomas Reiter, Director of Human Spaceflight and Operations, Franco Ongaro, Director of Technical and Quality Management and Head of ESTEC, Jan Franssen, Queen’s Commissioner, Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister, Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General, Prince Willem-Alexander, André Kuipers and wife Helen Kuipers.
André recently spent 193 days in space on the International Space Station.