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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Leatherback turtle path overlaid on absolute dynamic topography maps (MADT) gathered from space-borne radar altimeters. This turtle went due north after leaving its nesting site in French Guiana, and then slowed down in the nutrient-rich front area between Gulf Stream and Labrador Current. On September 13, 2000, this turtle is swimming at the eddies' border. The radar altimeter data used here comes from ERS-2 and TOPEX-Poseidon; currently Envisat, Jason and GFO are being utilised in the same way. Click here
to see the full animation.