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 astronauts Frank De Winne and André Kuipers and Canadian Space Agency astronauts Robert Thirsk and Chris Hadfield participate in a simulation during their final day of training at JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center. Their task was to transfer the H-II Transfer Vehicle's (HTV) Exposed Pallet from the end of the Station's robotic arm and attach it to the Exposed Facility on the Japanese Kibo laboratory.
De Winne and Thirsk are scheduled to spend six months on board the International Space Station between May and December 2009. Kuipers and Hadfield are assigned as back-up crew.