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 candidates Sophie Adenot, Rosemary Coogan, Pablo Álvarez Fernández, Raphaël Liégeois, and Marco Sieber, ESA members of the reserve John McFall and Sławosz Uznański, and Katherine Bennell-Pegg from the Australian Space Agency share their heartfelt New Year wishes in their native languages from inside the Columbus mock-up at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany.
The astronaut candidates are currently undergoing a one-year basic training programme primarily conducted at EAC. In addition, John McFall is contributing as subject matter expert in the Fly! Feasibility Study, focusing on understanding what it would take for people with physical disabilities to become professional astronauts and safely participate in meaningful space missions. Sławosz Uznański recently joined the European Astronaut Corps as an ESA project astronaut, dedicated to his mission duties for a future spaceflight opportunity. Meanwhile, Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg is currently seconded to ESA for basic training.