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
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Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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The map shows soil moisture during February 2023 compared to the reference period of 1995–2022. It is clear to see that Turkey is particularly dry, but so too are parts of the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium much of France. The map is based on data from JRC’s Global Drought Observatory, part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The Hydrology Group of the Italian National Research Council has developed an innovative approach using satellite observations of terrestrial water storage, soil moisture and precipitation to predict runoff and river discharge.
Read full story: Runoff: not as you might think