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!
Satellite observations have been instrumental in monitoring Arctic sea ice extent and thickness, and its changes, over time.
From space, sensors can track seasonal and long-term trends. Arctic ice cover is shown to be shrinking at an alarming rate, leading to concerns about its impact on the regional and global climate system.
By continuously monitoring Arctic sea ice from space, researchers can better understand the dynamics of this critical component of our planet's climate system and make informed decisions to address the challenges posed by its decline. This data-driven graphic represents the area of Arctic sea ice observed by satellites in 1980 compared to 2016.
Access the full Little Pictures of Climate gallery
Read more about the competition: Showcase your climate data visualisation talent
Apply here: Little Pictures of climate competition 2023