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 Thomas Pesquet returned to the International Space Station on 24 April 2021 taking a new ride to space, the SpaceX Crew Dragon launching from Florida. The trip took 23 hours and Thomas took a series of images from the capsule and shared them on his social media channels.
Commenting on this image, he said: "Life on board series: Shaving (demonstrated by yours truly). We used our tablets in selfie camera mode as mirros and though we were smart... before we realized NASA and SpaceX had packed tiny real shaving mirrors in our hygiene kit in the capsule!"
Thomas was launched to the International Space Station for his second mission, Alpha, on 23 April 2021. He will spend six months living and working on the orbital outpost where he will support more than 200 international experiments in space.
Follow Thomas and his Mission Alpha on his blog.