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 Samantha Cristoforetti took this image of Earth from the International Space Station and commented: “I feel we’re navigating on a black sea sprinkled with stars and Earth with its moving clouds is the sky.”
Earth’s atmosphere is visible surrounding our planet with a greenish–yellow hue. Under the clouds, city lights shine brightly.
Samantha will spend almost six months on the Space Station conducting science and maintaining the weightless research centre.
Follow Samantha and her mission via samanthacristoforetti.esa.int