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 Alexander Gerst during a rock recognition exercise for the PANGAEA training session in Lofoten, Norway.
ESA astronauts Alexander Gerst and Samantha Cristoforetti are spending a week exploring a mountain of crystalised magma in Lofoten, a remote Arctic location in Norway, as if they were planning an expedition on the surface of the Moon.
The astronauts are accomplished geology students, ready to refine their knowledge of lunar rocks with future NASA’s Artemis missions in mind. Alexander and Samantha joined the training after taking part in previous PANGAEA sessions in Italy, Germany and Spain.
The PANGAEA course is designed to provide European astronauts with introductory and practical knowledge of Earth and planetary geology to prepare them to become effective partners of planetary scientists and engineers in designing the next exploration missions.
The course also aims to give astronauts a solid knowledge in the geology of the Solar System from leading European scientists.