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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From left: Chairwoman of the board of the German aerospace centre Pascale Ehrenfreund, ESA Director General Jan Wörner, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and ESA astronaut ALexander Gerst in the mockup of Europe's Columbus space laboratory at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.
The news that Alexander has been assigned a new mission to the International Space Station was announced on 18 May 2016.
Alexander will fulfil the role of commander during the second part of his six-month mission in 2018.
The European Astronaut Centre is a training facility and home base for all European astronauts. It is a centre of excellence for astronaut training and medical support.