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
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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 took this image of Cologne in Germany at the end of his six-month Blue Dot mission on the International Space Station.
The airport of Cologne-Bonn is visible at top right; below it is ESA’s European Astronaut Centre. Alexander will be the first astronaut to return to Europe directly from the landing site: after his landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan, he will fly to Cologne airport via a stopover in Scotland.
Alexander’s rehabilitation will be handled by an ESA team of doctors and physiotherapists at the German Aerospace Center’s state-of-the-art “:envihab” facility, next door to ESA’s astronaut centre.
Alexander Tweeted this image a week before his departure from the Space Station with the text: “In one week’s time, If everything goes to plan, I will be exactly HERE.”
Follow Alexander Gerst via alexandergerst.esa.int