How does the experience gained from ISS missions inform future endeavors for the ESA?
It directly informs the expertise required for future deep space exploration beyond Low Earth Orbit
The ongoing operational presence on the International Space Station serves as far more than just a current mission platform; it functions as an essential proving ground and training ground for the future direction of human spaceflight. The cumulative experience gathered from years of managing and operating highly complex systems aboard the ISS—spanning everything from critical life support infrastructure to sophisticated research apparatus—is directly applied. This accumulated expertise is indispensable as the European Space Agency prepares its astronauts and technological capabilities for subsequent, more distant challenges associated with deep space exploration outside of Low Earth Orbit.

#Videos
Docking | Ax-4 mission with Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski - YouTube
First Space Station missions for new ESA astronauts - YouTube
ESA astronauts training for ISS mission - YouTube