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 (left) and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman look on as their Expedition 40 commander Maxim Suarev signs exam forms. Today, the crew had their first day of tests on the Russian segment of the Space Station. If all goes well, they will be launched to the International Space Station 28 May.
Also passing their exams was the backup crew of ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, NASA astronaut Terry Virts and cosmonaut commander Anton Shkaplerov. They performed their first day of exams on the Soyuz spacecraft they will fly to the outpost. The backup crew will be launched in November as Expedition 42, once Expedition 40/41 are back on Earth.
Both exams last all day and see the astronauts dealing with a range of demanding scenarios, with the examiners surprising them with emergency situations.