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 topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
Thermal image of central Athens acquired by INTA’s Airborne Hyperspectral System imaging spectrometer. The image is an uncorrected quick look of channel 75, sensitive in the thermal infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum – as such, bright areas correspond to the hottest surfaces. Mount Lycabettus is visible at the top of the image. The Acropolis and the adjacent Plaka district, with its dense street layout, can be seen in the bottom left corner. The Panathinaiko Stadium is the white inclined U-shaped feature below centre. The image was acquired at 20:05 on 18 July 2009.