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
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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 Paolo Nespoli took this image of Italy from the window of the Copula. He posted it to social media with a simple but iconic caption: 'Volare oh oh... Nel blu dipinto di blu!' The reference is to the widely popular song by Domenico Modugno (Volare means 'to fly') that has been translated into many languages.
Today marks Paolo's 300th cumulative day is space. He will complete his Vita mission and return to Earth on 14 December. Until then, he'll take many more images of Earth while flying overhead.
Follow the VITA mission: http://blogs.esa.int/VITAmission/
Connect with Paolo during his five-month Vita mission via http://paolonespoli.esa.int