Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if there are other planets out there beyond our Solar System?

Image: The Hoppers - name and key visual for the ESA astronaut class of 2022

On this Earth Day, we reflect on the importance of protecting our planet for future generations. Understanding the Earth system and the complex interactions that shape our planet is paramount for addressing environmental challenges, mitigating climate change, preparing for natural disasters, managing resources sustainably and conserving biodiversity.

Each component of the Earth system – from the atmosphere and oceans to land surfaces and ice sheets – influences and interacts with one another in complex ways. ESA works all-year round to provide satellite data to monitor the health of our planet. Here are 10 examples

London, UK (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) has teamed up with the University of Surrey to tackle illegal fishing using satellite technology. The Nereus project employs satellite imagery combined with ship location data, enhanced by artificial intelligence to identify potential illegal activities by monitoring maritime movements. Dr. Raffaella Guida, a specialist in Satellite Remo

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
A recent interdisciplinary archaeological project has uncovered significant new evidence about ancient human life in Arabia, particularly from studying caves and lava tubes, which have been less explored for archaeological evidence. This effort was spearheaded by Griffith University's Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE), in partnership with international teams. The resea

London, UK (SPX) Apr 16, 2024
Vertical Future, a specialist in vertical farming technology and production based in the UK, has been awarded a new grant of GBP 1.5 million to undertake the second phase of the "Autonomous Agriculture for Space Exploration" project. The program is set to adapt Vertical Future's controlled-environment-agriculture systems for use in prototype Low Earth Orbit growing systems aboard the first comme

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
The United States Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) has successfully transitioned the control of the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Baseline Release (SBR 23-1) to the Space Operations Command after completing a successful trial period. This transfer to the Space Operations Center's Missile Warning Mission Area Team marks a significant milestone in the project's deployment. "Th

London, UK (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
Momentick, a leader in emissions intelligence, has successfully raised $6.5 million in seed funding to enhance its emission intelligence algorithm and extend its market reach. The investment round was spearheaded by Chartered Group Japan and TAU Ventures, with additional contributions from private investors. Methane, primarily found in natural gas, is an odorless and colorless gas that can

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
Scientists from the University of Vienna have shed light on how desert soil bacteria survive and thrive under the extreme conditions of prolonged droughts and intermittent heavy rainfall. Their findings, led by microbiologist Dagmar Woebken at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS), were recently detailed in Nature Communications. Covering over 46% of the Ea

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
During a House committee meeting on April 17, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, along with top leaders from the Air Force and Space Force, emphasized the urgent need for Congress to provide timely and predictable funding to defend the nation effectively against modern threats. Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman