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 Alexander Gerst (DE) is assigned to fly on the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft to the International Space Station, scheduled for launch in June 2018. His crew mates will be NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Russian spacecraft commander Sergei Prokopyev.
Expedition 57 is scheduled to begin with the undocking of Soyuz MS-08, with the new crew members, cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague, arriving shortly thereafter on Soyuz MS-10. Expedition 57 will be commanded by ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst.
This patch depicts an explorer's ship leaving for the unknown as our early ancestors did, and is shaped like an arrow, heading out to new cosmic horizons. It highlights the purpose of the International Space Station as a world-class science laboratory for the benefit of mankind and international cooperation, as well as humankind's flagship in space, preparing us for the amazing voyages ahead. The Expedition 57 patch is dedicated to all those thousands of humans who make this journey possible through the contribution of their passion, hard work, and courage to one of the most fascinating projects in human history.
The patch was designed by NASA designer Sean Collins with art direction by Alexander Gerst.