This timelapse was published on social media by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the following caption:

Day 139, orbit 2155 — After the pictures (available in HD on my Flickr account), I'm so happy to finally share the timelapse of the most spectacular aurora of the εpsilon mission so far! 

Watching this glowing green ribbon shimmer and dance, it's easy to lose yourself completely in the magic of the moment. Turn the sound on for the full experience – the music was carefully chosen to bring you as close as possible to what I felt watching this from space

Week in images: 29 June - 03 July 2026

Discover our week through the lens

A core stage, an upper stage and four of the most powerful boosters ever produced in Europe. This timelapse video shows how Ariane 6 is built up at the launch zone.  

On 17 June 2026 at 09:21 local time (13:21 BST, 14:21 CEST), Ariane 6 flight VA269 soared to orbit from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. 36 satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation left Earth powered by four P160C-based boosters, the first time these upgraded boosters were used – making this launch the most powerful so far for Europe’s heavy-lift rocket.  

The debut of the four new boosters based on

On 7–8 July 2026, leading Earth observation scientists and experts are gathering in Tallinn, Estonia, for the Earth Explorer 12 User Consultation Meeting – a key milestone in the selection of ESA's next Earth Explorer mission.

Watch live: Earth Explorer 12 User Consultation Meeting on ESA WebTV TWO

This video was published by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot on social media with the following caption:

Day 133, orbit 2063 — In this timelapse, I’m retrieving the fourth sample printed with the first 3D metal printer ever sent to space, ESA’s Metal 3D printer… and getting everything ready for the next printing session! Before opening the printer, the procedure requires putting on safety goggles and a mask, just in case there are any floating nanoparticles.

3D printers are far from being simple gadgets. They aim at increasing crew autonomy, which will be even more crucial during future exploration missions,

When it comes to the future of human exploration, 3D printers hold the key to crew autonomy in areas ranging from maintenance to medicine. Delivered by ESA in 2024, the first metal 3D printer in space has just produced its fifth sample, retrieved by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during the εpsilon mission. 

Since the beginning of 2026, six cargo missions have left the International Space Station after delivering supplies. At just 400 km above Earth, the Station remains within easy reach for regular resupply, but as astronauts venture farther away from our home planet, the ability to produce replacement parts,

Building on the remarkable success of the Earth Explorer Aeolus wind mission, the European Space Agency has given Airbus Defence and Space in the UK the authorisation to proceed to begin the development of Aeolus’ successor, Aeolus-2 – which is set to be built to enhance operational weather forecasts.