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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Global mean sea surface height derived from radar altimeter data. The radar beam from the satellite scans the ocean surface, detecting variations in relief of up to 80 metres in places. Ocean relief, which is stable, is shaped by the geoid - the surface normal to the direction of the Earth's gravity field. The scale here ranges from purple (-80 metres) to red brown (+80 metres).