Copernical Team
Microbial traces found in desert rocks hint at unknown life form
Unusual geological formations discovered in the deserts of Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia suggest that an unidentified microorganism once inhabited marble and limestone in these regions. Researchers observed minute vertical tunnels within the rock, which appear to have been formed by biological activity rather than natural geological forces.
"We were surprised because these tubes are clea General Atomics marks completion of OTB satellite mission ahead of deorbit phase
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced the successful conclusion of its Orbital Test Bed (OTB) satellite's primary mission, which began with its June 2019 launch. The satellite has now transitioned into its projected 20-year deorbit trajectory.
"OTB began an exciting chapter for GA-EMS as this was the first launch of our GA-150 spacecraft hosting multiple payloads on a Earth from Space: Land of giants
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The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Inner space engineering
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Inner space engineering Andrea Patassa | Astronaut Reserve Member, Test Pilot, Spiderman? | ESA Explores #11
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Meet Andrea Patassa—test pilot, aviator, passionate outdoor adventurer, and Member of ESA’s Astronaut Reserve.
In this miniseries, we take you on a journey through the ESA Astronaut Reserve, diving into the first part of their Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany. Our “ARTists” are immersing themselves in everything from ESA and the International Space Station programme to the European space industry and institutions. They’re gaining hands-on experience in technical skills like spacecraft systems and robotics, alongside human behaviour, scientific lessons, scuba diving, and survival training.
ESA’s Astronaut Reserve Training programme
Week in images: 17-21 March 2025
Week in images: 17-21 March 2025
Discover our week through the lens
Introducing the new ESA's hyper performance computing
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The high-performance computing (HPC) environment will be available for scientific research and technological development activities, supporting all ESA programmes as well as the researchers and small- and medium-enterprises from Member States.
ESA and JAXA strengthen ties on Moon and Mars exploration
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, Daniel Neuenschwander, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Vice President for Exploration and Human Spaceflight, Mayumi Matsuura, have signed a new statement of intent focused on Moon and Mars activities. This statement marks their intention towards a step forward in space exploration cooperation between ESA and JAXA, and lays the groundwork for expanded collaboration between the two agencies in advancing science, technology and international partnerships.
Exolaunch surpasses 500 satellite deployments and debuts new Quadro system on SpaceX rideshare
Exolaunch, a global leader in satellite deployment and mission management, has marked a significant milestone with the successful deployment of its 500th satellite. During SpaceX's Transporter-13 rideshare mission, Exolaunch deployed 27 satellites, delivering close to 1,500 kilograms of payload into orbit for clients from fourteen different countries.
This mission also marked the inaugural Chinese scientists unveil six-legged robot for future asteroid and lunar mining
A research team from China has engineered a six-legged robotic system inspired by insects, aiming to revolutionize how space mining is conducted on the moon and asteroids.
Unlike mining on Earth, extraterrestrial excavation faces unique obstacles due to low-gravity environments. The moon's gravity is about one-sixth of Earth's, and asteroids often have even weaker gravitational pull, makin