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 Matthias Maurer returned from his first mission to the International Space Station, known as ‘Cosmic Kiss’, on Friday 6 May 2022, splashing down in Crew Dragon Endurance in the Gulf of Mexico.
Cosmic Kiss lasted 177 days, during which Matthias became the 600th person in space, conducted his first spacewalk, and supported over one hundred cutting-edge scientific experiments - the findings of which will be translated to improving life back here on Earth.
From furthering our understanding of human musculature function to investigating how bacteria grow in microgravity, you can read more about the areas of research Matthias facilitated here.
For a more in-depth overview of Matthias’ Cosmic Kiss mission, visit our dedicated Cosmic Kiss mission page.