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
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
With millions of people around the world living in coastal regions, sea-level rise is one of the biggest environmental threats we face resulting from climate change. Famously, about one third of the Netherlands lies below sea level and almost half of the country’s 17 million inhabitants live along its 350 km coast or in regions that are below sea level. The country has been artificially held together for centuries by dikes, pumps and polders. Even though the Dutch are experts at holding back the sea, the current rate of sea-level rise still poses challenges and requires huge investments to build adequate infrastructure to continue to protect the country. Accurate data on sea-level rise is critical for planning such investments. While the Netherlands is well placed to take appropriate action, other countries around the world are less fortunate.
For all countries at risk and for key climate policy It is vital that the changing height of the sea surface continues to be closely monitored over the coming decades. Copernicus Sentinel-6 is the key mission undertaking this important role until at least 2030.