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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The upgraded SpaceX Cargo Dragon CRS-21 vehicle approaches the International Space Station on 7 December 2020 as both vehicles were orbiting above the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. Near the top right of the photograph is a portion of the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle docked to the forward port of the Harmony module. The Cargo Dragon would dock about an hour later to Harmony's space-facing port marking the first time two Dragon spaceships would be docked to the station at the same time.
The next Crew Dragon to launch will include ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet to return to the International Space Station to live for six months. He is training extensively for his second mission, called Alpha.