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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On 21 July 2022, Samantha Cristoforetti completed her first spacewalk alongside cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev. The pair worked on a number of tasks, including the release of ten nanosatellites and work on the European Robotic Arm.
Not only was this Samantha's first spacewalk, it was the first spacewalk conducted by a European woman, as well as the first conducted by a European in an Orlan spacesuit from the International Space Station.
You can follow along with Samantha's mission Minerva via Samantha’s Twitter, Flickr and TikTok accounts, or via our dedicated Minerva page.