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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This Envisat image captures a depression, or low pressure system, covering most of the North Sea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, on Monday 2 November 2009. The area of low pressure developed to the southwest of Britain on Saturday night. Heavy rains spread through England (visible), Wales (partly visible), Northern Ireland and Scotland (partly visible) on Sunday morning. The various colours of green visible in the sea around the River Thames in England are due to sediments being transported in the water. Western France is visible in the bottom right.