Discovering new gases on Mars – with video
The ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is investigating the martian atmosphere. Discovering new gases related to active process and looking for their sources is a key goal of the mission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8jkTweQqyY&feature=emb_logo ExoMars has discovered hydrogen chloride for the first time. It appeared during a global dust storm in 2018 and disappeared again afterwards. The detection Read More
NASA astronaut Victor Glover – Keeping it fluid
NASA astronaut Victor Glover installs the Fluid Dynamics in Space experiment, or Fluidics for short. Fluidics is the black cylinder pictured in the foreground of the European Columbus module of the International Space Station.Developed by French space agency CNES and co-funded by Airbus, the Fluidics experiment is probing how fluids behave in weightlessness. photo copyright Read More
ESA’s Solar Orbiter ducks behind the Sun
What happens when the Solar System's No. 1 source of violent energy interferes with spacecraft communication? Name? Solar Orbiter, or ‘Solo’ as the mission control team fondly call it, is one of the European Space Agency’s pluckiest missions and is now cruising toward the Sun. photo copyright ESA Solar Orbiter views 'campfires' on the Sun Read More
Gravity-Related Experiments Training Week 2021 concludes as student projects officially start
Last week another online training session organized by ESA Academy’s Training and Learning Programme concluded with over 30 University students who are now setting off on a year-long adventure of building, testing and performing experiments on gravity altering platforms. A few weeks ago, 8 new teams were selected for some of ESA Academy’s hand-on programmes Read More
Sentinel-6 passes in-orbit tests with flying colours
In November 2020, the Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite was launched into orbit from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US. Now, months later, the satellite has successfully passed what is known as the ‘in-orbit verification phase’, where its equipment is switched on and the instruments’ performance is checked. The Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Read More
ESA seeks new astronauts – applications open 31 March 2021
For the first time in 11 years, ESA is looking for new astronauts. These recruits will work alongside ESA’s existing astronauts as Europe enters a new era of space exploration. photo ESA Media representatives are invited to a virtual press event on Tuesday, 16 February, to learn more about the vacancies that are intended to Read More
Happy new Mars year!
Happy new Mars year! photo European Space Agency A new Mars year began on 7 February 2021. The image on the left was taken on 6 February and the image on the right on 7 February – one of the first images returned from the new martian year. The images were captured by the Visual Read More
SpaceX Starlink 18 mission
On February 4th 2021 at 1:19 AM EST or 6:19 UTC on a chilly space coast Florida early morning with clear skies SpaceX launched their Starlink 18 mission with another set of 60 internet communication satellites from LC-40 at CCSFS Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. First stage booster B-1060.5 making its fifth flight into space Read More
NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SPHEREx Astrophysics Mission
NASA's Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) mission is targeted to launch in 2023. SPHEREx will help astronomers understand both how our universe evolved and how common are the ingredients for life in our galaxy’s planetary systems. NASA has selected Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, Read More
Lunar transit Falcon 9 from LC-40 Cape Canaveral
What a beautiful night for a lunar transit Falcon 9 from LC-40 Cape Canaveral Florida 2/4/21. B-1060.5 landed on the drone ship but is leaning due to high seas and wind in the recovery area. All 60 Starlink satellites were successfully deployed. Congratulations to everyone at SpaceX for an amazing launch. Photo Credit: Scott Schilke Read More