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 topicESA astronaut André Kuipers will be making his second flight to the International Space Station later this year, where he'll embark upon a six-month stay in orbit.
The Dutch astronaut spent many months training internationally for the mission learning the intricacies of a much larger station to which ESA's Columbus module has been added since his last visit in 2004.
This video shows training in Europe, Russia and Japan for what will be ESA's 4th long duration mission.
It also includes interviews of André Kuipers in English and Dutch.
More backgroud information can be found on: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/PromISSe/index.html