Copernical Team
Research Fellows in space science 2026
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ESA has selected six new Fellows to pursue their own independent research in space science in 2026. The Research Fellowships in space science represent one of the highlights of the ESA Science programme.
Early career postdoctoral scientists are offered the unique opportunity to carry out advanced research related to the space science areas covered by ESA Science missions at one of three ESA establishments (ESAC, ESTEC or STScI) for a period of up to three years.
The 2025 Research Fellows in space science are, Emma Esparza-Borges, Ekaterina Ilin, Gregor Rihtaršič, Peter Stephenson, Paola I. Tiranti, and Jiří Žák.
Their research spans
An interplanetary shortcut can speed up trips to Mars
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Mining the solar system to build a new world
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Contribution to Artemis II Moon mission sees successful test of a space camera under cosmic ray conditions
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Week in images: 20-24 April 2026
Week in images: 20-24 April 2026
Discover our week through the lens
Q&A: Apollo astronaut Schmitt talks about getting back to the moon and life in the universe
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2026 first quarter: Future Launchers Preparatory Programme highlights
ESA and EDA launch joint study to strengthen Europe’s Earth observation capabilities
Press Release N° 20–2026
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) have signed an Implementing Arrangement to jointly identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities and develop a long-term roadmap in support of security and defence.
Earth from Space: Cloud patterns over the Canary Islands
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This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image highlights a distinctive cloud formation north of the Canary Islands of Tenerife and La Gomera. Braving the Arctic for upcoming polar-focused satellites
As sea ice continues to succumb to the climate crisis, measuring its decline with precision has never been more urgent. To meet this challenge, the European Space Agency is developing three new Copernicus satellites, each employing distinct but complementary techniques to monitor this fragile component of the Earth system.
To ensure the data from these new satellites are razor-sharp, an international team of hardy scientists is now out on the Arctic sea ice braving the cold and flying above to collect critical in situ measurements.