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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Matthias Maurer, ESA’s newest astronaut, has been training with Tim Peake at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. During practical and theory classes they’ve learned skills necessary to perform EVA, or Extra Vehicular Activities – much of which is already familiar to Tim, who worked outside the Station in January 2016. They also spent time in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, a pool housing replica International Space Station modules which allows astronauts to experience near weightless conditions.