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
Go to topicThe ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori will take part in STS 134, the Shuttle mission currently scheduled for launch on 29 April from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA. This is a flight opportunity of the Italian Space Agency. It will be Vittori's third flight to the International Space Station. The Italian Astronaut will be a mission specialist along with five NASA astronauts for a twelve day expedition into orbit. During the mission the Shuttle Endeavour will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer designed to observe antimatter and dark matter. This will be Endeavour's last mission in Space.