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 Tim Peake took this image from the International Space Station during his six-month Principia mission. He commented: "I recognise that place!"
Professional photographer Max Alexander has known Tim Peake from before his launch into space and gave Tim photography tips during his mission. Max comments: "Another spectacular night time photograph, capturing London and the United Kingdom on the left, with Paris and France on the right. The airglow hugging the Earth clearly shows how thin our planet’s atmosphere is. To my mind, communicating the atmosphere’s fragility is one of the most important and powerful things an astronaut can do."
Follow Tim Peake via timpeake.esa.int