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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Recent studies have shown that remote sensing of floating marine plastic litter is feasible using uncrewed aerial systems, aircraft and satellites. However, in the infrared spectrum, water is a strong light absorber which makes the spectral detection and discrimination of plastics challenging. Additionally, marine plastic litter is often covered with living organisms and it is unclear what impact different thicknesses of this ‘biofouling’ may have on the spectral reflectance of floating plastic.
In this project, The Ocean Cleanup further explored the relationship between depth of submersion, biofouling layer thickness and magnitude/shape of plastic’s inherent spectral reflectance. The findings of the experiment will be assimilated into radiative transfer models to advance scientific knowledge relevant to the remote sensing of marine plastic litter. Find out more here.
The project was funded through the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities. It was selected through an Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) call for ideas on remote sensing of plastic marine litter.
Access the other Final presentations of ESA Discovery element activities videos.