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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ERS-1 (European Remote Sensing satellite) was put into orbit by Ariane in July 1991.
Since then, day and night and even through the densest clouds, it has been using its three instruments to survey the structure of our planet's surface, acquiring radar images that reveal the smallest details and monitoring changes.
ERS-1 watches shorelines, ocean currents and the sea surface, monitors the growth of crops and vegetation, surveys and maps the polar icecaps and drift-ice and detects oil spills. No other satellite can compete with its capabilities in this respect. ERS-1 is making an important contribution to the study of our environment and of climate change.