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 topicNASA astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, holds onto a handrail and spreads his arms at the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. On this final spacewalk for the STS-122 Atlantis crew, Walheim's pose is reminiscent of that of a musical conductor who has just completed a successful concert. Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this spacewalk with Walheim.