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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Samantha Cristoforetti from Italy joined ESA's Astronaut Corps in 2009. An experienced fighter pilot and Captain in the Italian Air Force, she's been proposed by the Italian Space Agency ASI to fly to the International Space Station later this year. After extensive international training she'll be launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, becoming the eighth ESA astronaut to participate in a long-duration mission onboard the ISS.