ESA astronauts celebrate 20 years on the International Space Station

On 19 April, 2001, Umberto Guidoni was launched to the International Space Station, becoming the first European astronaut on board. In April 2021, ESA celebrates 20 years of European astronaut missions to this unique orbital outpost.

In this video, ESA astronauts past and present share their experiences of the International Space Station and spaceflight more generally. They identify some of their favourite moments and voice their hopes for the future of space exploration.

Here are the timestamps for each message:

0:00 – Intro
0:39 – Umberto Guidoni
3:31 – Claudie Haigneré
6:31 – Frank De Winnie
7:42 – Pedro Duque
10:36 – André Kuipers
11:38 – Thomas Reiter
14:38 – Christer Fuglesang
16:58 – Hans Schlegel
19:39 – Luca Parmitano
20:29 – Alexander Gerst
22:29 – Samantha Cristoforetti
28:20 – Thomas Pesquet
29:07 – Andreas Mogensen
30:05 – Tim Peake
31:02 – Matthias Maurer
32:57 – Jean François Clervoy
38:49 – Michel Tognini
42:23 – Reinhold Ewald

The International Space Station is humankind’s science laboratory in space. Its unique microgravity environment enables researchers to study phenomena and carry out experiments that would not be possible on Earth. Around 400 ESA investigations have been performed since the first module was launched and thousands more are led by the four other space agencies that work together to keep the Space Station aloft: @NASA, Russia’s @tvroscosmos, Japan’s @JAXA-HQ, and the @canadianspaceagency.

Scientific discoveries made on Station are applied widely from health to metallurgy, while the increased knowledge we gain about our solar system helps build a deeper understanding of Earth and life itself.

#ESA
#InternationalSpaceStation
#SpaceStation20th

[aishasiddeeka]

ESA astronauts are legends. We love you so much from France, guys ! 🚀❤✨

[Yu-Tu]

Such a great bit from Samantha, not trying to promote or commemorate anything, just sharing her feelings about the ISS.

[annadan]

Long live ISS on its most valuable moral humanity's principles of peaceful, also very fruitful, international cooperation in space!
Long live ESA! Many happy returns of the day to each of ESA's exquisitely brave astronauts/ spationauts!
Thank you so much for sharing this gorgeous, memorable video! Great work, congratulations!
Bravo, bravissimo !

[maxioul]

Happy Birthday ISS, the greatest science lab of the obervable universe!

[yanislanglade]

Already 20 years and so much progress accomplished so congratulations ESA! 👏👏🥳❤️ You make me so proud to be a European citizen and maybe one day I'll be working with you! 😃🤷🇨🇵🚀

[turdl]

This is awesome. I only have one question. Why the heck does Jean-Francois's flight suit nametag say "Billy Bob"?!

[HazeGreyAndUnderway]

Happy 20th from the States, ESA! The universe wouldn't be the same without you!

[DC]

Thank you for all this amazing work on cooperative, peaceful and open space exploration. while some could nrag with national efforts and narrowminded agendas, by partnering with every people who wanted to improve our knowledge of the universe all around and of our own unique world you've shown and hopefully keep showing us what we can do together. This Team Earth spirit is what I find the most inspiring for us who can only see the majesty of universe through what you do up there.
Again, thank you and good luck with the next launch. Bon voyage Mr Pesquet!

[camembertdalembert]

Bravo to ESA ! As a french I am proud of your work ! You are not working mainly for political prestige, you are working for science and human progress.

[arifunf]

Happy Birthday ISS and a amazing Future 🥳
Since 20 Years you are the Home frome a lot of amazing ESA Astronauts 👩‍🚀

[ChrisB]

Always been interested In the ISS and the science all the astronauts do on the station, a true international project and in the past 20 years of the station so much has changed not only on the station but on the space agencies as well.
I cannot wait to see what the future gives us all and is made possible with Spaceflight.
Love all of you guys up there in space, training on the ground and all the others that are involved with Spaceflight, you all make our dreams come true.

[anne-sophiej.]

Ouuuch ... THIS is a gift. Seing all those faces that I'm old enough to have known back then... I was 8 years old when Jean-Loup Chrétien who was born a few km from my home arrived aboard Salyut 7...
Thank you ESA...for making me shed a tear because there are all the pioneers of this European space age that I associate with these twenty years of permanent presence in the ISS... • ́ ‿, • ̀

[alisioardiona]

Nice video, but what about Claude Nicollier ? I didn't see him included

[DefenderOfMankind]

ISS is really a tangible proof of what international collaboration can do🤩💓✨🌍

[luigibrescia]

Diversity is esa strength, hope to work with you guys one day

[mariadaluzmoutinho]

Incríveis recordações e avanço Espacial! Duas décadas de viagens e conhecimento ...Memórias que ficam em vidas e transformam a ciência e histórias de sucesso!! Tudo demonstra que o investimento na exploração Espacial é fundamental e nos leva ao futuro...nunca deixar de apostar e de investir maid! ESA e todo o seu esforço valeu a pena e nada foi em vão ... Nós agradecemos!!

[Ditch]

Fascinated about all things space! Great stories aswell 👏 happy birthday ISS ESA 🎂🥳

[alessiover]

Thanks to all of you astronauts and all ESA personnel from Italy!

[nottoday]

1:50 Humanitys first outpost in space? Errm, I respect every astronaut/cosmonaut, but I think the Soviets want to have big argument over that statement

[milankaperic]

ESA💙🔝Congratulations 👏Astronauts ISS/ESA 💫20🌌🎆🎉 Good luck all missions in future /Thanks You for everything 💯❤