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’s class of 2009 astronaut reported for their first day at work at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, 3 September 2009. The six started their first days of 18-month basic training in preparation for missions to the International Space Station and beyond.
The new astronauts were:
Each astronaut has already flown to the International Space Station. A new recruit, Matthias Maurer, joined the ESA astronaut corps in 2015.
This collage shows scenes from nine years of training and spaceflight.