SpaceX Starlink 4-3 is the 134th company launch to date!
A Perfect on time liftoff at 6:12 PM EDT 12-2-21 for SpaceX Starlink 4-3 with 48 Starlink satellites and two ride share BlackSky optical Earth observation satellites have all been successfully deployed. First stage booster B-1060.9 successfully landed on autonomous drone ship ASOG (A Shortfall Of Gravitas) down range completing it's ninth trip to outer Read More
United Launch Alliance to Launch STP-3 Mission in Support of National Security
Mission will be a direct injection to Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) and longest mission to date A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is in final preparations to launch the Space Test Program (STP)-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command. The launch is on track for Dec. 5, 2021 from Space Read More
A one-way phone call at Mars
In brief This November, ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft carried out a series of experimental communication tests with the Chinese (CNSA) Zhurong Mars rover. Mars Express successfully caught data sent up ‘in the blind’ by the rover and relayed them to Earth where they were forwarded to the Zhurong team in China. In-depth 13:07 CET, 7 Read More
Test tanks fuelled for ESA’s Themis reusable first stage
Recently completed tests of two propellant tanks set a first technological milestone in the ESA reusability roadmap towards the demonstration of a reusable first stage vehicle called Themis. Through the Themis programme, ESA aims to assess the economic value of reusability for Europe while investing in new technologies for potential use in ESA’s future fleet Read More
Atlas V STP-3 mission launch preview
Everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V launch carrying the Space Test Program-3 (STP-3) mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission is planned to lift off on Sun., Dec. 5 at 4:04 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Today’s forecast shows an 80 percent chance Read More
ESA – Cosmic pearl
It can be hard to appreciate that a human-made, football-pitch-sized spacecraft is orbiting 400 km above our heads, but there it is. The jewel of human cooperation and ingenuity that is the International Space Station shines brightly in this image captured by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour. GMT312_ISS_Flyaround_Part2_1087 Crew-2 got Read More
Applications open for the Online Technology Transfer, Application & Innovation Workshop 2022
In brief Are you a highly motivated university student in engineering, science or business administration with a keen interest in technology and innovation? The ESA Education Office is looking for university students to participate in the Online edition of the ESA Academy’s Technology Transfer, Application & Innovation Workshop. In-depth Developed in close collaboration with the Read More
Galileo satellites given green light for launch – with video
Europe’s next pair of Galileo satellites have been given a green light for launch. Last Friday’s Launch Readiness Review confirmed that the satellites, the supporting ground installations, and the early operations facilities and teams are ready for lift-off on the early hours of Thursday morning, European time. Galileo upper composite transported to launch site Galileo Read More
Autonomous shuttle transports passengers at Harwell Campus
A driverless shuttle service that uses integrated 5G and satellite communications has launched at Harwell Campus in the UK. The electric shuttle’s communications technology was developed by Darwin Innovation Group with the support of ESA and the UK Space Agency. The service is run by Darwin on two separate routes across campus, both of Read More
As part of the 2025 Flight Plan ENAIRE, EUROCONTROL and IATA hold their tenth conference to promote aviation safety
They shared their vision and experiences involving the main safety challenges facing the sector as traffic recovers to pre-pandemic levelsTraffic management has been analysed in response to airspace infringements or exceptional situations, such as volcanic ash or emergencies just after take-offA new action plan has been drawn up to reduce the risk that general aviation Read More