Eight satellites have been added to Italy’s IRIDE Earth observation programme, following launch on board a Falcon-9 rocket. The successful launch brings the total number of satellites in orbit for the Italian programme to 24.

The two-day countdown for the Artemis 2 mission around the moon started March 30 with NASA officials reporting no major issues for the launch.

Eight CubeSats and one payload supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) reached orbit, where they will demonstrate various applications aimed at improving how data is sent around and processed. Thanks to these demonstrations, practical and – sometimes – even life-saving data enabled from space will move more efficiently and reach the right actors on time in the future.

When the four astronauts of Artemis II lift off to travel towards the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, Europe will be travelling with them – not only through the European Service Module that powers their spacecraft, but also through teams of engineers and medical specialists monitoring every move from Earth. 

From ESA centres in the Netherlands and Germany to NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston, European experts will follow the mission around the clock, analysing data, anticipating risks and ensuring that both the crew and their spacecraft remain safe throughout the journey.

When Artemis II carries astronauts beyond Earth orbit for the first time in 50 years, Europe will be providing the power that makes the journey possible. Built by European industry, ESA’s European Service Module is the propulsion heart of the Orion spacecraft, carrying 33 engines that guide, steer and propel the crew safely towards the Moon and back. 

The future of space warfare will be determined by the speed of decision.