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 Andreas Mogensen is pictured during a 'fit-check' of the Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft. On 2 September, the Soyuz will carry Andreas and crewmates Sergei Volkov and Aidyn Aimbetov to the International Space Station. As part of their preparations for the launch the crew inspect their spacecraft.
Following launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, at 04:34 GMT (06:34 CEST, 10:34 local time) on 2 September 2015 the crew will arrive at the Space Station just six hours later. Andreas and Aidyn will stay for just 10 days. They will leave Sergei on the Station and return to Earth in a different Soyuz together with Gennady Padalka, who is already in space.
On Sunday 23 August, Andreas will join us from quarantine in Baikonur for a Google hangout. Join the hangout
Connect with Andreas on social media at http://andreasmogensen.esa.int/
Follow the iriss mission via http://blogs.esa.int/iriss/