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
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The MetOp satellites each weighs over 4000 kg and measure 17.6 m x 6.5 m x 5.2 m after the solar array and antennas have deployed following launch. The animation shows how the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) and the Global navigation satellite system Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding (GRAS) open. ASCAT measures wind over the oceans. ASCAT transmits pulses of microwave energy towards the surface of Earth and records the resulting echoes to derive wind speed and direction over the ocean. Since observations are made using radar, ASCAT provides day and night imaging and is not affected by clouds. GRAS uses radio occultation to measure vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature and humidity by tracking signals received from a constellation of navigation satellites while they are rising or setting behind Earth’s atmosphere.