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 stunning image swath was taken by ESA’s Mars Express during camera calibration as the spacecraft flew over the north pole (bottom) towards the equator (top).
The images were taken by the high-resolution stereo camera’s nine channels (one nadir, four colour and four stereo), which were panned over the surface to record a large area at uniform illumination conditions. At the same time the camera was shifted to the horizon, instead of just pointing to the surface as in routine imaging.
The images were taken on 19 June 2017 during Mars Express orbit 17 050. The ground resolution in the centre of the image is about 1 km/pixel and the images are centred at 249ºE / 65°N.