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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SMOS has shown that it is able to detect frozen soil from space. The depth to which the soil is frozen can also be inferred. From the animation, which shows northern Finland, the difference between 26 November 2010 and 26 November 2011 can be seen clearly. This year’s late frost is associated with Europe’s mild weather this autumn.