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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This abstract picture taken from the International Space Station shows fishing boats illuminating the sea to attract fish into their nets. In this case, the lights attracted ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti to take this image while circling Earth 400 km above the sea. She commented: “Fishing boats… what intriguing visual effects as the light shines through a cloud layer!”
Many fish and squid are attracted to light, so fishermen shine bright lights to lure them into their nets. The lights also help the fishermen to haul their catch onboard and process the fish.
Clouds hanging over the area have blurred the lights; the black lines are areas without cloud cover.
Samantha is spending over five months on the Space Station as part of her Futura mission to run scientific experiments and maintain the weightless research laboratory. Follow her adventures first hand via samanthacristoforetti.esa.int