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 topicThe 3rd world water forum took place from 16-23 March 2003 in Kyoto (Japan) and 22 March 2003 was selected as the UN's World Water day. The Earth is the only wet planet in the Solar system, and water indeed plays an important role in our ecosystem. Looking at the other planets like Venus and Mars, the question arises where the water on Earth comes from, is it inexhaustible, if we upset the thermo-dynamic equilibrium are we increasing the risk of desertification? While ESA's Envisat looks at Earth, other satellites such as Mars Express and Venus investigate the situation on other planets. This video is a 5-minute A-roll with split audio (English commentary/international sound. A complementary B-roll with clean international sound is available. The video includes an animation of Mars probe Beagle 2, which was never able to carry out its intended mission.