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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As a young test pilot, Luca Parmitano from Italy was lucky enough to join ESA's Astronaut Corps in 2009. He was subsequently selected to be the first of ESA's new astronauts to fly into orbit – fulfilling his childhood ambitions. Having trained internationally – including periods spent in the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne and Star City in Moscow – he'll shortly be embarking upon a six-month stay onboard the International Space Station.