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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Could satellites be able to help track and map the marine plastic waste befouling our oceans? Research teams from across Europe returned to an ocean-wave test facility at Deltares research institute in the Netherlands to try and detect floating plastic. Harnessing a suite of microwave and optical instruments, the researchers are assessing if orbital monitoring of plastic might be practical in the future.