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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Water on Mars?
Data suggesting the possibility of water on Mars are of particular interest to scientists, even if the low temperatures and pressure preclude that liquid water exists on its surface today.
ESA’s Mars Express mission is the first major step of Europe’s drive to explore the red planet. Its instruments have provided us with spectacular three-dimensional colour views of the Martian surface, found proof of ice at the poles, underground deposits of permafrost and vapour in the atmosphere.
The presence of large channels, networks of valleys and ancient traces of certain hydrate minerals imply that liquid water once flowed on Mars. Will we finally be able to answer the age-old question: Is there life on Mars?
For more information on this Mars Express image, please click on the following link: Iani Chaos, Mars.