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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Many of the satellites that gather information on the health of our planet pass over the polar regions pass above the North and South Poles. Satellite ground stations located in these remote areas are best positioned to collect the data and talk to the missions passing above them. This video presents the most northern ground station ESA is using – SvalSat, located within the Arctic Circle – where contact is made with many of ESA’s Earth observation missions. The Svalsat station contributes to ESA's global tracking station network, Estrack.