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 Alexander Gerst (DE) is assigned to fly on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 2014 and as part of the Expedition 40/41 crew. Expedition 40 begins with the scheduled undocking of Soyuz TMA-11M in May 2014. Three new Soyuz TMA-13M crew members, Gerst, cosmonaut Maxim Surayev and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, will be launched shortly after. The callsign for their mission will be 'Cepheus'.
The Soyuz TMA-13M mission patch was designed by Luc van den Abeelen for TsPK/Spacepatches.nl and Roscosmos. The patch is centred around the main image of a famous Baikonur monument called 'Weightlessness' (also known locally as 'the fisherman').The cosmonaut is shown floating over a blue Earth, with a departing Soyuz launch vehicle climbing towards the stars. The constellation depicted is Cepheus; this is the callsign chosen by the spacecraft commander. Banners enclosing the scene show the spacecraft designation, crew names and their national flags.