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 Matthias Maurer inside the seven-windowed cupola.
He posted this picture to his social media on 15 December 2021 with the following caption: "A viewing window full of technology. The Cupola, built by ESA, is our 'window to the world' and the favourite place of many astronauts on the International Space Station. But in addition to an incredible view of the Earth, it also serves to observe robotic activities of the Canadian Space Agency robotic arm, arriving spacecraft & spacewalks. When I first looked out, I first thought all the white was the sky, until I realised that it was the Earth, surrounded all around by the blackness of space. A jaw-dropping view! Directly behind me, you can also see part of the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft docked to the Rassvet module, as well as the Prichal docking module attached to the Nauka Multi-Purpose Laboratory Service Module."