ESA has set up a dedicated unit to work on the standardised nanosatellites called ‘CubeSats’, teaming up with European companies to develop low-cost technology-testing missions. Missions in preparation include a double CubeSat to test rendezvous and docking techniques, and one to explore near-Earth asteroids. To source
The European Data Relay System (EDRS)—dubbed the “SpaceDataHighway” by its private operator, Airbus—has passed another milestone. To source
An existing deep-space dish antenna at the DLR Weilheim site, near Munich, may offer an almost-readymade solution to the problem of providing sufficient ground station capacity to support ESA’s current and future deep-space exploration missions. Now and in the next few years, ESA is sending some of the most advanced spacecraft ever flown to exotic […]
Where does ESA get its ideas from? One major source of new concepts is through our Discovery & Preparation activities, forming part of ESA’s Basic Activities. Working with and across all ESA programmes, from human spaceflight to Earth observation , Discovery & Preparation lays the groundwork for ESA’s nearer-term future activities. To source
A reanalysis of data collected by ESA’s Mars Express during the first 20 months of NASA’s Curiosity mission found one case of correlated methane detection, the first time an in-situ measurement has been independently confirmed from orbit. To source
Space Science Image of the Week: Our Solar Orbiter spacecraft is undergoing a series of tests ahead of launch early next year To source
Look again at that Space Station. That’s there. That’s home for a crew of six astronauts. That’s us too. On it every human being lives out their lives, performs science and maintains the spacecraft with the support of a whole team on Earth. To source
A high-resolution radar mission to Earth’s ‘evil twin’ Venus, a spacecraft to detect the most powerful explosions in the Universe and an observatory for the cool, dusty cosmos to investigate the origins of stars: ESA’s Concurrent Design Facility has performed feasibility studies of contending candidates for the fifth medium class mission in the Agency’s Cosmic […]
How do you build a spaceship? It’s not easy, because space is risky – but potential payoffs are vast. ESA’s track record allows us to manage that risk, balancing it with chances for rich rewards To source
ESA’s Characterising Exoplanet Satellite, Cheops, was recently declared ready to fly after completing a series of final spacecraft tests. To source
New Space, quest for innovation and integrated applications, new business models, global challenges: this is the scenario that the ESA Education programme is now even more equipped to address with the inauguration of Galaxia, the new permanent ESA training and learning facility in Belgium. To source
Our week through the lens: 25 – 29 March 2019 To source
Discover ESA is a colourful journey through ESA’s activities and space missions. The brochure, which is available in six languages, includes an attractive space poster To source