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Resources on Mars could support human explorers
Mineral map of Mars showing the presence of patches that formed in the presence of water. Credit: ESA

In the coming decades, multiple space agencies and private companies plan to establish outposts on the moon and Mars. These outposts will allow for long-duration stays, astrobiological research, and facilitate future solar system exploration. However, having crews operating far from Earth for extended periods will also present some serious logistical challenges.

Given the distances and costs involved, sending resupply missions will be both impractical and expensive. For this reason, relying on local resources to meet mission needs—aka. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU)—is the name of the game.

The need for ISRU is especially important on Mars as resupply missions could take six to nine months to get there. Luckily, Mars has abundant resources that can be harvested and used to provide everything from oxygen, propellant, , soil for growing food, and .

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Video: 00:38:42

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, an experienced spaceflyer, spacewalker, and former ISS commander, shares insights into his role as head of astronaut operations at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre. Tune in as he talks with us about guiding the next generation of astronauts through training and preparing them for their future in space exploration. 

This is Episode 8 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in April 2024.

Find out more about Alexander.

Access all ESA Explores podcasts.

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lunar surface
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The presence of conduits below the lunar surface has been theorized and extensively debated for at least 50 years. Now, an analysis of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter radar data reveals what lies below the Mare Tranquillitatis.

For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the existence of a tunnel in the lunar subsurface. It seems to be an empty lava tube. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, is the result of an international collaboration.

"These have been theorized for over 50 years, but it is the first time ever that we have demonstrated their existence," explains Lorenzo Bruzzone, professor at the University of Trento.

Bruzzone explains, "In 2010, as part of the ongoing LRO NASA mission, the Miniature Radio-Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument acquired data that included a pit in Mare Tranquilitatis.

"Years later, we have reanalyzed these data with complex signal processing techniques we have recently developed, and have discovered radar reflections from the area of the pit that are best explained by an underground cave conduit. This discovery provides the first direct evidence of an accessible lava tube under the surface of the moon.

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Juice flies by Earth

Juice’s lunar-Earth flyby: all you need to know

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Video: 00:02:44

After many long hours, working through the night, plenty of sacrifices, tense moments during countdown and hot-fire tests – as well as months spent in masks and keeping a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic – Space Team Europe has done it. Ariane 6 took flight on 9 July 2014 and restored Europe’s autonomous access to space.

Thousands of people from different backgrounds, with different nationalities and speaking different languages all united around a shared vision: taking Europe to space.

Thank you Space Team Europe for your commitment, incredible team spirit and expertise. Go Ariane 6!

Ariane 6 launched on

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Juice flies by Earth

ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will return to Earth on 19–20 August, with flight controllers guiding the spacecraft first past the Moon and then past Earth itself. This ‘braking’ manoeuvre will take Juice on a shortcut to Jupiter via Venus.

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MTG-S1 in the anechoic chamber

As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events, the need for accurate and timely forecasting has never been more critical. And now, the next Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite has passed its environmental test campaign with flying colours, taking it a significant step closer to launch.

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Vancouver, Canada (SPX) Jul 14, 2024
In late April, farmers in Saskatchewan stumbled upon spacecraft fragments while preparing their fields for seeding. It sounds like the beginning of a science fiction movie, but this really happened, sending a powerful warning: it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed by falling space junk. The Axiom Space private astronaut mission (Ax-3) concluded safely on Fe
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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 15, 2024
In June, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, revealed a new 11-inch hybrid rocket motor testbed. The innovative testbed features variable flow capability and a 20-second continuous burn duration, offering a cost-effective and quick-turnaround solution for conducting hot-fire tests on advanced nozzles, rocket engine hardware, composite materials, and pro
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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 15, 2024
Astronauts on spacewalks face the uncomfortable and unhygienic task of relieving themselves inside their spacesuits, resulting in wasted resources as the urine is not recycled. Unlike wastewater on the International Space Station (ISS), urine produced during spacewalks isn't processed for reuse. Inspired by the 'stillsuits' from the Dune series, researchers at Cornell University have devel
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Paris, France (SPX) Jul 15, 2024
To mark the second anniversary of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope's scientific operations, a captivating image of two interacting galaxies known as Arp 142 has been released. The interaction between the Penguin galaxy (NGC 2936) and the Egg galaxy (NGC 2937) began between 25 and 75 million years ago when they first approached each other. This cosmic dance will continue for hund
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