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 image, acquired by Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument on 3 November 2009, features western North America, one of the most extensive mountainous regions on Earth. Covering more than 1200 km of the west coast, several U.S states are visible in the image, including Washington and California (from the middle of the image to bottom right hand corner).
Numerous aircraft condensation trails, or 'contrails', over northern California and southern Oregon (above California) indicate heavy air traffic over the area.