Europe is facing an intense heatwave, with record temperatures and several cities under red alert. On 23 June, France recorded its hottest June day ever.

This image was captured the same day by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite, which measures land surface temperature from space.

Unlike air temperature, land surface temperature shows how hot the ground itself becomes, often much higher as rock and asphalt absorb heat throughout the day.

Sentinel-3 uses thermal sensors to monitor Earth’s land, oceans, ice, and atmosphere, supporting everything from weather response to long-term climate monitoring.

View image: Europe feels the heat beneath our feet

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The European Space Agency’s EarthCARE satellite was developed to make a unique set of simultaneous measurements that shed new light on the role that clouds and aerosols play in regulating Earth’s climate.

Now, in a remarkable example of a research mission delivering direct practical benefits, global observations from the satellite’s cloud profiling radar are being used operationally by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts to improve daily weather forecasts – this landmark achievement marks the first time that cloud radar data from space have been assimilated into a global weather forecasting system.

At 15:24 CEST on 15 June 2026, a faint blue glow in space was switched off for the last time. After powering BepiColombo's eight-year journey across the inner Solar System, the spacecraft's solar electric propulsion (SEP) system completed its final thrust arc, marking the end of BepiColombo’s long cruise phase and the beginning of its arrival at Mercury. 

English: Paxi and the European Space Agency

Did you know that space affects your life every single day? Join Paxi to discover all the ways the European Space Agency (ESA) makes life on Earth better every day and explores space, from the satellites above your head to missions looking deep into the universe. Paxi also shares ways you can be a part of Europe's space team.

Greek: Ο Πάξι και ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος

Γνωρίζατε ότι το διάστημα επηρεάζει τη ζωή σας κάθε μέρα; Γίνετε μέλος του Paxi για να ανακαλύψετε όλους τους τρόπους με τους οποίους ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος (ESA)

The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the design, development, qualification and R&D of flagship EU Space programmes Galileo and EGNOS. It also implements satellite navigation programmes focused on innovation, competitiveness and in-orbit demonstrations, with ESA optional programmes NAVISP, FutureNAV, Celeste (LEO-PNT), Genesis and Moonlight.

Do you want to join us in shaping the future of European satellite navigation? From contracts, workshops and industry events to education activities, discover below all the ways you can engage with ESA Navigation, whether you are an European citizen, independent professional or a student.