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 Matthias Maurer communicates with planetary scientists to discuss interesting geological sampling sites during the first ESA Pangaea training course in 2016.
On field trips in the Mars-like landscape of Lanzarote, one of the Spanish Canary Islands, a crew of astronauts, planetary scientists and engineers interpret geological features to understand the island formation. The goal is to help astronauts identify the best places to explore and collect rock samples.
Lanzarote was chosen for this course because of its geological similarity with Mars, such as a volcanic origin, mild sedimentary processes owing to a dry climate a well-preserved landscape. The image shows the Tinguatón area in the Natural Park of the Volcanoes.