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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Expedition 42/43 prime crew members Terry Virts of NASA, Roscosmos commander Anton Shkaplerov, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, and backup crew members Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Roscosmos commander Oleg Kononenko, Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, during the press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on 22 November, 2014.
The launch of the Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled on 23 November at 21:01 GMT (22:01 CET).
Samantha was assigned to the Futura mission more than two years ago and has travelled the world training on all the elements of the most complex machine ever built: the International Space Station. She learnt how to control the Station’s robotic arms, how to handle any emergency and how to perform all the scientific experiments she will run for the scientists on Earth.