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 Paolo Nespoli and his crewmates from Expedition 53 were in charge of loading Dragon spacecraft for the its return to Earth, packing it with station gear and science experiments for analysis back on Earth.
The cargo left the International Space Station 17 September 08:40 CEST when ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and NASA Station commander Randy Bresnik released it from the Harmony module with the support of the Canadarm2 robotic arm. Six hours later the spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean and has been retrieved together with its science and gear payload.
Follow the VITA mission: http://blogs.esa.int/VITAmission/
Connect with Paolo during his six-month Vita mission via http://paolonespoli.esa.int