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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Several large smoke plumes originating from burning peat fields and forest fires are visible in this Envisat image, acquired on 29 July 2010, covering the area east of Moscow.
The city itself is seen in the bottom left corner of the image. The smoke plumes are stretching over several hundred kilometres and, combined with the normal air pollution in the city, can cause pollution levels ten times the normal levels for the capital.