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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One of the first photos taken by Envisat, ESA's Earth observation satellite in March 2002 - the collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf observed on 18 March 2002.
Over the last decade ERS-1 and -2 have been monitoring changes in the region. Together with ERS data, this image (orbit 250) documents the 100 km retreat of the Larsen B ice shelf. The break-up has now reched the rock faces of the Peninsula itself. Envisat's ASAR will make regular all-weather observations and enable detailed studies of the extent, surface motion and surface melt of all the ice shelves around Antarctica.