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 Samantha Cristoforetti (IT) is scheduled to fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station, on its fourth crewed operational flight called Crew-4, scheduled for launch in April 2022. She will fly with NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins and Robert Hines.
SpaceX Crew-3, launched 10 November 2021 with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, will remain on the Station as the first part of Expedition 67 with Anton Shkaplerov from Soyuz MS-19 and Pyotr Dubrov and Mark Vande Hei from Soyuz MS-18. Expedition 67 begins in April 2022 with the arrival of Crew-4 including Samantha Cristoforetti, and Crew-3 with Maurer will depart shortly after. Samantha is scheduled to command the first half of Expedition 68 in September 2022.
This patch was designed by US artist Greg Manchess. The design is meant to celebrate the ongoing international mission to conduct science and research to improve life on Earth and extend our presence in the Solar System.
The Space Station in the foreground recognises the contributions of the thousands of engineers, scientists, researchers, trainers, fabricators, leaders and dreamers who have made this miracle of engineering and sustained operations possible.
The planet Earth, serves as a central element of the patch because, while the astronauts try to unlock the mysteries of the Universe, they are also committed to better understanding Earth and how we can protect it for future generations.
Three large stars shine bright on a black background, representing the United States, Russia and Italy, the three countries with crewmembers on this particular expedition. The numerous other stars represent the additional countries that comprise the ISS partnership. The life-giving rays of the Sun represent the crew’s families, whose love and support make this endeavour possible.