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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With the statue of Vladimir Lenin serving as a backdrop, the Expedition 38 backup crew members pose for pictures 26 October 2013, at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.
From left to right are Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Russian cosmonaut Max Suraev and Reid Wiseman of NASA. After the photo opportunity, the crew members flew to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final preparations for the launch of the prime crew, Soyuz commander Mikhail Tyurin, Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA, 7November, 2013, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station.