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
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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 meanders of a South American river captured from the International Space Station on 23 September 2023 by ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen. When Andreas shared the picture on social media, he said:
"I have canoed and kayaked a little in South America, including the Orinoco, Casiquiare, and Rio Negro in Venezuela and the Ucayali and Urubamba rivers in Peru, but never in Colombia. I’m not sure which rivers these are, perhaps the Cauca or Nechi rivers. I love how they curve back on themselves, although I also remember how frustrating it could be to canoe all day and hardly make any distance on the map."
Visit Huginn mission page to learn more about Andreas' mission.