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 topicThe Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission will carry state-of-the-art technology in the form of a sophisticated interferometric radiometer called MIRAS. Its large Y-shaped antenna detects microwave radiation emitted from the surface of the Earth and translates the data into maps of soil moisture and ocean salinity.