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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The Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft docking with the International Space Station. Inside were ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman and Roscosmos commander Maxim Suraev. The spacecraft docked at 01:44 GMT (03:44 CEST) 29 May 2014. Just over two hours later the docking hatch was opened and the International Space Station returned to a full six-person crew.
This image shows the male part of the Russian docking system on the Soyuz spacecraft, the extending rod that guides the spacecraft to a secure connection. Russian docking ports have a male and female part, like an electrical plug and socket. This means that a spacecraft can dock only with a vehicle that has the correct receiving port.