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 gives a brief description of the need to monitor ice in the Arctic and Antarctic in the face of Earth's changing climate. Three people deliver soundbites on topics surrounding ice monitoring: Veronika Ekstrand (SvalSat) discusses the importance of ground stations; Olav Orheim (Director of Norway's Polar Institute) addresses the importance of monitoring ice in the Arctic; and Kjetil Eiane (Chair Marine Microbiology at Longyearbyen University of Arctic Sciences) addresses how a changing climate could open up new ship routes and allow better access to natural resources. Envisat is then introduced as being able to provide scientists with a way to observe and understand the planet, which is necessary in order to adapt to these changes. Cryosat is highlighted prior to its planned launch later that year for its planned contributions to ice monitoring. Places highlighted in the video include Norway (Svalsbard Archipelago, Spitzberg and the SvalSat ground station) and shots of Ice bergs (B-15 in Antarctica).