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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The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captures the Kiritimati Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean.
Part of the island country of Kiribati, Kiritimati is the world’s largest coral atoll. It was discovered on Christmas Eve by the English navigator Captain James Cook, who named it Christmas, which in Gilbertese spelling translates to Kiritimati.
Zoom in to explore this image at its full 10 m resolution.