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 topicThis video focuses on how ESA's new Earth Observation satellite Envisat, which was to be launched at the end of the month that this aired, will contribute to monitoring the atmosphere. The programme focuses on Envisat's SCHIAMACHY instrument, which will build on the atmosphere monitoring data provided by the GOME instrument on ERS-2, as well as on the GOMOS and MIPAS sensors. Envisat data will be be more accurate and will help scientists to further understand such phenomena as global warming and ozone depletion. The contribution of satellite data in helping ensure international treaties, such as Kyoto, is highlighted. Prof Paul Crutzen, Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, gives soundbites on SCHIAMACHY, the evolution of knowledge on the atmosphere and how satellites have superceded expectations. Prof Dr. John Burrows, University of Bremen, provides soundbites on GOME data, using satellites to determine the budget of human activity in the atmosphere and the role of Envisat in atmospheric studies.