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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Timelapse made from images taken by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet on the International Space Station. Thomas commented: "Soyuz and Progress calmly waiting their return to Earth as we fly over Baja California and Chile. Although the spacecraft look similar, Progress (seen at the back) is unmanned and is used for transport of supplies and raising the orbit of the International Space Station. Another important difference is that part of the Soyuz can return to Earth bringing Oleg and myself back to gravity tomorrow, Progress on the other hand burns up completely on reentry. I will make sure to choose the right vehicle for our return trip ;)"
The video is assembled on Earth and is around 25 times faster than a normal video.
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is spending six months on the International Space Station as part of his Proxima mission. During Proxima, Thomas will perform around 50 scientific experiments for ESA and France’s space agency CNES as well as take part in many research activities for the other Station partners.
The mission is part of ESA’s vision to use Earth-orbiting spacecraft as a place to live and work for the benefit of European society while using the experience to prepare for future voyages of exploration further into the Solar System.
More about the Proxima mission: http://www.esa.int/proxima
Connect with Thomas Pesquet: http://thomaspesquet.esa.int