Paris, France (SPX) Oct 15, 2024
The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially launched its Moonlight programme, aimed at creating a satellite constellation around the Moon to provide vital communications and navigation services. With over 400 lunar missions expected from both space agencies and private companies in the next two decades, Moonlight represents a major step towards sustainable lunar exploration and the broader de

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From 7 until 13 October 2024, ESA/NASA’s SOHO spacecraft recorded Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), the second brightest comet it has ever seen. Meanwhile, large amounts of material were being spewed out by the Sun (covered in the centre), and planet Mercury is visible to the left.

The comet’s nucleus is clearly visible, surrounded by a dusty coma and trailing an impressively long tail. SOHO sees the large dust tail edge-on, curving in on itself as it is pushed outward by solar wind. 

At the end of the video you can also see a rare phenomenon known as an ‘

ESA has awarded a contract valued at over €280 million to OHB in Germany to build ESA’s two Harmony Earth Explorer satellites.

This innovative research mission will provide valuable new data on various Earth processes, from shifts in the shape of the land surface caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity to insights into glacier movement. Additionally, it will enhance our understanding of the interactions between the upper ocean and lower atmosphere, all of which will contribute to a deeper comprehension of Earth's dynamic systems.

In an era where natural disasters and emergencies are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, ESA is taking a significant step forward in enhancing Europe's crisis management capabilities.

Imagine a near future where services such as satellite navigation, video conferencing, and file sharing are as seamless on the Moon as they are on Earth.

This week, at the International Aeronautics Congress in Milan, ESA officially kicked off a new project called Ciseres, a small satellite mission designed to significantly improve crisis response times using artificial intelligence (AI). Part of ESA's Civil Security from Space (CSS) programme, Ciseres aims to enhance satellite capabilities to alert first responders and government officials within minutes of the occurrence of a disaster – such as floods, fires, landslides. The project is led and co-financed by Deimos, a European space tech company specialising in small satellite missions.

What’s better than one spacecraft on the quest to search for life-friendly ocean worlds in the Jupiter system? Two! ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) is set to join forces with NASA’s Europa Clipper – launched on 14 October – to tackle one of the biggest questions in Solar System science.

ESA and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract amendment today at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan to extend the Lunar View refuelling module for the lunar Gateway.

Kennedy Space Center, United States (AFP) Oct 14, 2024
NASA probe Europa Clipper lifted off from the US Kennedy Space Center on Monday, bound for an icy moon of Jupiter to discover whether it has the ingredients to support life. Lift-off took place aboard SpaceX's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket. The probe is set to reach Europa, one of Jupiter's many moons, in five and a half years. The mission will allow the US space agency to uncover new det