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 André Kuipers waving to the audience gathered on 30 August 2012 to welcome him home to Noordwijk, the Netherlands near ESA’s ESTEC technical centre.
He was greeted by the Prince of Holland (left), Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (right) and the mayor of Noordwijk J.P.J. Lokker (right of André).
André recently spent 193 days in space on the International Space Station.