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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Mosaic art on the International Space Station during ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti’s Futura mission.
Inspired by the archetype 1970s Space Invaders video game, French artist, known as Invader, established his urban alien artwork in 60 cities all over the world, including Rome, Paris, New York, Manchester, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. In 2012 he sent a mosaic into the stratosphere on a high-altitude balloon.
Aiming even higher, Samantha helped Invader get his artwork out of this world when she installed a Space Invader mosaic in Europe’s Columbus laboratory on the Space Station, 400 km above Earth.
Not content with invading Earth orbit, the Space Invaders are gaining a foothold at ESA establishments all over Europe.