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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Most of the warm water flowing northwards from equatorial regions cools and sinks as it reaches the Arctic Ocean east of Greenland. Dense, cold water flows back south at depth. This circulation pattern is influenced by the sea ice that drifts from the central Arctic. Although the amount of sea ice varies with the season, it has a stabilising effect on the ocean currents. A major decrease in sea ice could have a significant impact on this balance.