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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Phoenicis Lacus was formed by the uplift of the Tharsis volcanic plateau. The continual episodes of strong volcanic activity in Tharsis not only lifted the plateau, but also compressed Phoenicis Lacus, creating uplifted blocks and multiple fault lines at different orientations. Extension has taken place here, resulting in this characteristic horst-and-graben (cliffs and valleys) landscape. This image was obtained on 31 July 2010 using the High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft. It combines data from the nadir channel and one stereo channel of HRSC. Stereoscopic glasses are required to see the 3D effect.