World's biggest flying lab comes to Asia on air pollution mission
Friday, 09 February 2024 21:22NASA has kicked off a series of marathon flights in Asia with the world's biggest flying laboratory, in an ambitious mission to improve the models that help to forecast and fight air pollution. Millions of deaths each year are linked to air pollution, and improving the ability to identify its sources and behaviour can lead to more accurate warning systems for the public. Starting this we
Scientists in UK set fusion record
Friday, 09 February 2024 21:22Scientists in Britain announced Thursday they had smashed a record for generating fusion energy in the final experiment using the Joint European Torus (JET) machines. Nuclear fusion is the same process that the sun uses to generate heat. Proponents believe it could one day help tackle climate change by providing an abundant, safe and clean source of energy. A team at the JET facility nea
Next-Gen Weather Satellite Set to Enhance Global Military Operations
Friday, 09 February 2024 21:22Space Systems Command (SSC) has announced the successful delivery of the first U.S. Space Force (USSF)-62 Weather System Follow-on - Microwave (WSF-M) Space Vehicle (SV) from Ball Aerospace's facility in Boulder, Colorado, to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite is set to undergo a series of comprehensive post-shipment tests and preparations, culminating in a scheduled launch
Week in images: 05-09 February 2024
Friday, 09 February 2024 13:10Week in images: 05-09 February 2024
Discover our week through the lens
Final flight of Muninn
Friday, 09 February 2024 12:55The SpaceX Crew Dragon ”Freedom” with the Axiom-3 crew inside as they undocked from the International Space Station on 7 February at 14:20 GM/15:20 CET. ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt together with Walter Villadei, Alper Gezeravcı and Michael López-Alegría spent 20 days in space, conducting science and technology demonstrations in a mission that can be described as a sprint.
Marcus’s mission to the Space Station is called “Muninn” after one of the ravens of the Norse god Odin, complementing the Huginn mission of Andreas Mogensen, fellow Scandinavian, and ESA astronaut. Marcus was part of the first commercial spaceflight for an
Marcus Wandt returns to Earth after his first spaceflight
Friday, 09 February 2024 11:30After 20 days in space, ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt returned to Earth today at 13:30 GMT/14:30 CET, marking the end of his Muninn mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
ESA marks Women and Girls in Science Day 2024
Friday, 09 February 2024 08:00We're joining the global community this weekend in celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. As part of our efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and space enthusiasts, we're featuring three young professionals working with us. Here's a glimpse into the projects they're working on, and stay tuned for their videos on ESA’s Instagram for a peek into a day in their lives at ESA.
Earth from Space: South Atlantic bloom
Friday, 09 February 2024 08:00Space centre power cable
Friday, 09 February 2024 07:2115th satnav summer school open for registrations
Friday, 09 February 2024 06:48Are you a researcher in the field of satellite navigation? Register now for this year’s ESA-JRC International Summer School on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, taking place in Slovenia in July, to learn from top-notch experts and expand your network.
Following repeated delays, NASA launches new PACE Earth-observing satellite
Thursday, 08 February 2024 21:55NASA launched its new Earth-observing satellite into space early Thursday following several days of weather-related delays. The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud and ocean Ecosystem orbital will provide NASA scientists with data that they will use to better understand the Earth's oceans and atmosphere, and was launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 1:33 a.m. EST from Space Launch
MethaneSAT Set to Transform Global Methane Emission Tracking with Advanced Technology
Thursday, 08 February 2024 21:55Ball Aerospace has marked a significant milestone in environmental monitoring by delivering the MethaneSAT satellite to Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California, setting the stage for its launch next month. This pivotal mission, developed in collaboration with MethaneSAT, LLC-a subsidiary of the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)-aims to provide unparalleled insigh
Northrop Grumman to Revolutionize Space Missions with Next-Gen Cryocoolers
Thursday, 08 February 2024 21:55Northrop Grumman, a stalwart in aerospace and defense technology, is taking a significant step forward with its latest innovation in cryocooler technology. Cryocoolers, essentially specialized refrigeration units designed for space applications, are critical for maintaining the extremely low temperatures required for the optimal performance of sensors on satellites and space telescopes. This tec
WSF-M Satellite will enhance military environmental monitoring with new microwave imager
Thursday, 08 February 2024 21:55Ball Aerospace has announced the successful delivery of the Weather System Follow-on - Microwave (WSF-M) satellite to Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Space Force's efforts to enhance operational environmental monitoring capabilities. This satellite, delivered to Santa Barbara County, California, represents the first of two sophisticated systems that Ball
New Satellite Launch Marks a Milestone in China's Commercial Space Sector
Thursday, 08 February 2024 21:55The recent launch of the "Xunming Hometown I" satellite in Yangjiang, Guangdong province, signifies a notable advancement in China's commercial space sector. This low-earth orbit satellite, having successfully entered its target orbit, exemplifies the country's growing prowess in space technology, coupled with a unique cultural integration. The "Xunming Hometown I" is a product of collabor