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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The International Space Station always has a commander that takes a leader role for the crew on board. They ensure that the crew is safe, doing well, and work together as one team.
The commandership is handed over in a ceremony, where the former commander gives a little speech, hands over the key to the Space Station and the new commander talks about their new responsibilities.
Several European astronauts have been commander of the Space Station, from the first one in 2009, Frank De Winne, through Alexander Gerst, Luca Parmitano, Thomas Pesquet, Samantha Cristoforetti and Andreas Mogensen.