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 22 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
Go to topicWildlife habitats such as lakes close to airports pose a serious risk to safety at takeoff and landing.
Ascend, developed by Ascend XYZ in Denmark under ESA’s ARTES Applications programme, uses free images and data from Earth observation satellites combined with smart software to detect and register such areas.