Copernical Team
For too long, colonial language has dominated space exploration: Is there a better way?
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Celeste mission patch
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Celeste mission patch Europe celebrates 30 years of satellite navigation
On 2 September 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) opened the doors of ESTEC, its research and technology centre, to celebrate 30 years of European satellite navigation. Partners from across the continent gathered for a sensational event that took the audience on a journey through time, honouring the achievements and collaboration that have shaped this success story.
Group photo from General Assembly on Defence, Space and Cybersecurity
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Group photo taken at the General Assembly on Defence, Space and Cybersecurity, held on Friday 12 September 2025, at ESRIN, ESA’s Centre for Earth Observation Programmes in Italy.
The event was organised by the European Parliament and the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, to promote dialogue between European and national decision-makers and industry leaders. Representatives from major European entities debated the future of the European Union, which is facing unprecedented challenges, in an increasingly complex geopolitical context. Participants examined Europe’s needs in key sectors such as space, cybersecurity, and defence, within the broader context of the
Week in images: 08-12 September 2025
Week in images: 08-12 September 2025
Discover our week through the lens
Columbus: 100 000 orbits and counting
Today, the Columbus laboratory aboard the International Space Station completes its 100 000th orbit around Earth—a remarkable achievement for Europe’s science module in space.
Since its launch in 2008, Columbus has been a hub of research and innovation, orbiting at 28 800 km/h and approximately 400 km above Earth. Over the course of 6427 days, it has travelled more than 4.26 billion kilometres, hosted astronauts from over 20 countries, and supported hundreds of experiments that explore everything from human health to advanced materials.
Earth from Space: Gibson Desert, Australia
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Part of the Gibson Desert in Western Australia is featured in this image, captured by the Φsat-2 mission in June 2025. NASA fuel storage research launches aboard resupply mission
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Plato arrived at ESA’s test centre by boat
The European Space Agency’s Plato spacecraft has safely arrived at ESTEC, ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands. There, engineers will complete the spacecraft by connecting its solar panels and sunshield, and carry out a series of critical tests to confirm that Plato is fit for launch and ready for its planet-hunting mission in space.
Sentinel-1D in French Guiana for launch campaign
The fourth satellite for the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, Sentinel-1D, has arrived at Félix Eboué airport, the main airport in French Guiana. From there the spacecraft, safely stored in its protective casing, will be transported to launch preparation facilities at the European Spaceport in Kourou.