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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ESA Astronaut – or rather, Astrophotographer – Luca Parmitano showed and commented on some of his pictures of the Earth, taken from the International Space Station. He explained the challenges he faced. Luca spent six months on the International Space Station conducting experiments and keeping the orbital outpost running with 5 other astronauts. In his spare time, he photographed our world from 400 km above, looking out of the Station’s panoramic Cupola. Orbiting at 28 800 km/h, Luca was privileged to see our planet from a unique perspective.