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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A closer look at the unusual pattern of elevation differences in the Antarctic ice sheet measured by CryoSat. The scientists were able to simulate the observed pattern showing how the interaction between the ice pack and the radar polarisation modifies the radar measurements. The observed pattern is shown in (a) and (c), and simulations in (b) and (d). The dashed line indicates where the pattern is inverted as a result of the high coverage of CryoSat’s orbit.