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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In 2007 satellites revealed the lowest Arctic sea-ice coverage in 30 years. The historically impassable Northwest Passage (orange) between Europe and Asia, was fully navigable, and the Northeast Passage (blue) in Siberia was only partially blocked.
The dark grey colour represents the ice-free areas, while green represents areas with sea ice.