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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Soyuz rocket ready to launch ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet to the Space Station.
On 17 November 2016, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and Roscosmos commander Oleg Novitsky will take a lift to the top of this 50 m-tall rocket, climb aboard and wait for the trip of a lifetime. At 20:20 GMT the engines will ignite and propel the trio 1640 km in less than 10 minutes – averaging a 50 km/h increase every second for nine minutes.
The Soyuz launcher delivers 26 million horse-power to reach an orbital speed of 28 800 km/h – but its journey starts on a train: the rocket is rolled to the launch pad by rail from the assembly building.
The rocket was moved into its upright position yesterday surrounded by its support structure.
Despite the enormous power and acceleration, Thomas, Peggy and Oleg will take two days to catch up with the International Space Station flying overhead. They are scheduled to dock with it at 22:00 GMT on 19 November.
Read more about their launch and the Proxima mission on the minisite.
Watch the launch and docking live via the web and follow @esaspaceflight on Twitter for updates.
Follow Thomas via thomaspesquet.esa.int and read the Proxima mission blog for behind-the-scenes info.