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
Go to topicDerived from the TM3 three-dimensional chemical tranport model, this animation shows model results of the column-averaged methane volume mixing ratio (VMR) in parts per billion for the time period of August through November 2003. A University of Heidelberg and KNMI team compared these model results to actual SCIAMACHY methane observations during the same period, discovering unexpectedly high methane concentrations over tropical land regions. Note the particular high methane levels shown in the model above the Ganges plain in summer months.