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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This image from the Sentinel-1A satellite shows the capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing. It is one of the most populous cities in the world with over 21 million people, but during the Chinese new year or ‘Spring Festival’, millions travel from the big cities back to their hometowns to spend the holiday with their families in what is considered the world’s largest annual migration.
This image is a compilation of three scans by Sentinel-1A’s radar from 8 October, 13 November and 31 December 2014.