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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Cosmonaut Sasha Skvortzov and ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst during a rehearsal of the docking Europe's cargo vessel ATV-5 on the International Space Station. Astronauts often do practice runs or take refresher courses in space.
Alexander and Sasha set up the command post that will monitor the approach and docking of Europe's largest spacecraft 8 July 2014, one month before the planned arrival of ATV-5.
During his six month Blue Dot mission Alexander will perform over 70 experiments.