Copernical Team
Ariane 6 flight VA269: Liftoff captured from the mobile gantry
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On 17 June at 09:21 local time (13:21 BST, 14:21 CEST), Ariane 6 flight VA269 soared to orbit from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. 36 satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation left Earth powered by four P160C-based boosters, the first time these upgraded boosters were used – making this launch the most powerful so far for Europe’s heavy-lift rocket.
Week in images: 15-19 June 2026
Week in images: 15-19 June 2026
Discover our week through the lens
The Voice in Orbit | Talking to Astronauts in Space | ESA Explores #20
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Meet the voices astronauts hear in space. At ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, the EUROCOM team is the link between crew and ground, guiding astronauts like ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot through their daily work on the International Space Station. Join us as EUROCOM expert Andreas Orth explains how complex operations are translated into clear, real-time communication and what it means to be the one voice connecting Earth and orbit.
This interview was recorded in March 2026.
Boosting European leadership in in-space operations and services
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission signed a joint declaration on In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS), signalling a shared ambition to build European leadership in in-orbit servicing.
Seen from above: liftoff of first Ariane 6 with P160C-based boosters
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Seen from above: liftoff of first Ariane 6 with P160C-based boosters Earth from Space celebrates 1000 images
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ESA’s Earth from Space series reaches its 1000th image with a return to the vibrant waters of southern Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas – the same region featured in the very first edition in 2004. Galileo signal updated for internet-of-things use
In April, Galileo marked a step forward with the deployment of a new signal component, known as E5a Quasi Pilot, on 12 satellites of Europe’s satellite navigation constellation. This upgrade makes Galileo signals easier to access, particularly on emerging mass-market, low-power devices used for Internet of Things and smart city applications.
Don’t miss the Earth Explorer 12 User Consultation Meeting
The countdown is on for scientists, researchers and Earth observation experts eager to help shape the future of the European Space Agency’s Earth Explorer satellite series. Registration is closing soon for the Earth Explorer 12 User Consultation Meeting.
This all-important event offers the opportunity to be part of the discussion on which of four pioneering candidate missions should advance to the next stage of development.
Sophie Adenot's mid-mission highlights
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Sophie is halfway through the εpsilon mission onboard the ISS, and she has already accomplished so much. Between hundreds of hours of scientific research and thousands of photographs taken from space, she has taken the time to share many unforgettable moments with us — inspiring millions along the way on social media.
Liftoff: first Ariane 6 liftoff with P160C-based boosters
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Liftoff: first Ariane 6 liftoff with P160C-based boosters 
