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 Luca Parmitano snapped this picture of the Moon from the International Space Station in 2013. Astronauts experience 16 sunsets and sunrises each day as well as moonrises and moonsets as they orbit Earth at 28 000 km/h.
Luca spent almost six months on the International Space Station conducting over 30 experiments and ventured outside on two spacewalks.