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!
This image, captured on 6 March 2024 by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission, shows lava flowing down the flanks of the La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina Island, Galapagos.
The volcano began erupting on 2 March. Since the island is uninhabited, the eruption poses no threat to humans – however, the island is home to numerous species of animals and birds.
The image has been processed using the satellite instrument’s shortwave-infrared channels to highlight the flow of lava. The La Cumbre volcano is one of the most active in the Galapagos Island chain and the darker shades of brown depict older lava flows.