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-derived images of the volcano Etna in Italy, summer 2001. Using precise techniques known as SAR Interferometry (InSAR), researchers have been able to monitor the movements of Etna for over 10 years including the eruption in 1993. A digital terrain model of the volcano and measurements of geophysical parameters, such as the volcanic mouth deflation, were already generated in 1995 by making use of complex interferometric techniques applied to ERS SAR images. ERS-2 SAR image data were then collected and processed to analyse the 2001 eruption.