Archive | News

http://www.esa.int/rssfeed/Our_Activities/Space_News

Interact_rover_picking_up_geological_sample_card_full

ESA’s force-feedback rover controlled from a nation away

A controller in Germany operated ESA’s gripper-equipped Interact rover around a simulated moonscape at the Agency’s technical heart in the Netherlands, to practice retrieving geological samples. At the same time a smaller Germany-based rover interacted with ESA’s rover as if together at the same site – in a dress rehearsal for a robotic test campaign […]

Continue Reading
Geostationary orbit

The current state of space debris

Swirling fragments of past space endeavours are trapped in orbit around Earth, threatening our future in space. Over time, the number, mass and area of these debris objects grows steadily, boosting the risk to functioning satellites. ESA’s Space Debris Office constantly monitors this ever-evolving debris situation, and every year publishes a report on the current […]

Continue Reading
Global_lake_warming_trend_threatens_freshwater_species_card_full

Global lake warming trend threatens freshwater species

Holding over 80% of Earth’s surface freshwater, lakes support and sustain communities across the planet. A new study uses satellite data to underline the vulnerability of these inland water bodies to climate change and warns of serious future consequences for many freshwater species worldwide. To source

Continue Reading
Russian_Space_food_tasting_items_card_full

Homemade space food for Matthias Maurer

ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer plans to take a small slice of Saarland to the International Space Station.  Later this month, chefs from his home region in south-western Germany will whip up a selection of spaceworthy dishes and put these out for public vote. The most popular will be added to Matthias’ space menu for his […]

Continue Reading
ESA's Kiruna celebrates 30 years of space excellence

ESA's Kiruna celebrates 30 years of space excellence

Video: 00:13:37 September 2020 – ESA’s Kiruna ground station in northern Sweden celebrates 30 years of space excellence. Near the top of the world, at a latitude of almost 68° north and sited 38 kilometres east of Kiruna town, the Kiruna ground station has been operational for 30 years. Ideally positioned to support polar-orbiting missions, […]

Continue Reading
BepiColombo_s_first_Venus_flyby_card_full

BepiColombo’s first Venus flyby

Video: 00:01:00 The ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission is getting ready to fly by Venus. It will make a close approach of the planet on 15 October at 03:58 GMT (05:58 CEST) at a distance of approximately 10 720 km. Gravity assist flybys are needed to set the spacecraft on course for Mercury orbit. BepiColombo launched 20 […]

Continue Reading

Space, astronomy and science