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 topicUsing interviews, graphics, satellite images and live-action footage, this documentary gives an overview of the contemporary science of weather prediction. Since 1960, when the first orbiting weather satellite was launched by NASA, there has been a realisation of the limitations of data gathered by polar orbiting satellites - this resulted in the mid-1960s launch of geosynchronous satellites, and development of improved resolution and IR imaging devices. The film projects into future plans for co-operation with Russia and Japan to provide 5 geosynchronous satellites. A section is also devoted to NASA's ongoing storm research programme - tornado prediction, and the use of light aircraft to analyse conditions at different altitudes.
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