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
Go to topicESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti's first mission to the International Space Station
ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti spent almost 200 days on the International Space Station from 24 November 2014 as part of Expeditions 42 and 43 in a mission provided by Italy’s ASI space agency.
Samantha flew in Soyuz TMA-15M together with Roscosmos astronaut Anton Shkaplerov, and NASA astronaut Terry Virts.
Launch: 23 November 21:01 GMT (22:01 CET; 24 November 03:59 local time)
Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan
Spacecraft: Soyuz TMA-15M
Expeditions: 42 and 43
Docking: Six hours after launch at 02:49 GMT (03:49 CET)
Crewmates: Roscosmos astronaut Anton Shkaplerov and NASA astronaut Terry Virts
Touchdown: 11 June 2015 at 13:44 GMT (14:44 CEST)
Landing site: Kazakhstan