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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A little more than an hour into the second spacewalk of Expedition 36, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano reported water floating behind his head inside his spacesuit helmet. After NASA Flight Director David Korth ordered the sortie to end early, Parmitano headed back to the airlock ahead of NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy. The spacewalk ended at 13:29 GMT (15:39 CEST), 1 hour 32 minutes into the planned 6.5-hour excursion outside the International Space Station.