Copernical Team
Spongy space dust reshapes understanding of star and planet formation
Cosmic dust - the tiny particles that seed stars, planets and the chemistry of life - may be far less solid than once assumed. A new review by an international research team suggests many grains are porous, sponge-like structures rather than compact rocky fragments.
Professor Martin McCoustra of Heriot-Watt University, working with colleagues in Germany, Japan, the USA and Spain, helped co A New Model of Water in Jupiter's Atmosphere
Caltech researchers have developed a new simulation of the hydrological cycle on Jupiter, modeling how water vapor condenses into clouds and falls as rain throughout the giant planet's swirled, turbulent atmosphere. The research shows that Jupiter's water is not uniformly distributed, giving missions like NASA's Juno orbiter important guidance about where to look for water on the planet.
J 3 Questions: How a new mission to Uranus could be just around the corner
The successful test of SpaceX's Starship launch vehicle, following a series of engineering challenges and failed launches, has reignited excitement over the possibilities this massive rocket may unlock for humanity's greatest ambitions in space. The largest rocket ever built, Starship and its 33-engine "super heavy" booster completed a full launch into Earth orbit on Aug. 26, deployed eight test Telespazio and ispace Partner on Lunar Transport and Navigation Services
Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67 percent) and Thales (33 percent), and lunar exploration company ispace have signed a Letter of Intent to begin technical and commercial collaboration to advance lunar transport and communications. The agreement focuses on leveraging ispace's orbital transfer vehicle capabilities in support of ESA's Moonlight Lunar Navigation and Communication Serv Researchers ID new mineral on Mars, providing insight on potential early life
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst are part of a team that has identified a unique mineral on Mars, described in Nature Communications. Named ferric hydroxysulfate, the mineral provides clues about the Martian environment and history of the planet, including the possibility of former lava, ash or hydrothermal activity.
Mars gets its trademark red hue from the abundanc Cassini proves complex chemistry in Enceladus ocean
Scientists digging through data collected by the Cassini spacecraft have found new complex organic molecules spewing from Saturn’s moon Enceladus. This is a clear sign that complex chemical reactions are taking place within its underground ocean. Some of these reactions could be part of chains that lead to even more complex, potentially biologically relevant molecules.
Published today in Nature Astronomy, this discovery further strengthens the case for a dedicated European Space Agency (ESA) mission to orbit and land on Enceladus.
European Space Agency and Korea AeroSpace Administration embark on new cooperation
The European Space Agency and the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) have announced they will work together on peaceful uses of space, starting with space weather monitoring and sharing space communications facilities.
ESA at IAC 2025 - highlights from Day 2
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) will pursue new ways of working together following discussions during the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia.
Gaia discovers our galaxy’s great wave
Our Milky Way galaxy never sits still: it rotates and wobbles. And now, data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope reveal that our galaxy also has a giant wave rippling outwards from its centre.
See ESA's summer space snaps
Our interactive publication covering captivating stories and stunning images from the most recent quarter of the year.