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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North of Russia, the Northern Sea Route (also known as the Northeast Passage) is open to shipping traffic. This image was acquired by the MERIS instrument on ESA’s Envisat satellite on 25 August and shows the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago surrounded by open water.