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 22 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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This animation compares two images of southern Spain’s Almería province, both captured by Landsat satellites in 1984 and 2011. The white area, known as the ‘Mar de plastico’ (sea of plastic), is covered with greenhouses. Tens of thousands of immigrants flock to the region in search of economic opportunities.