Tag: news

Earth observation image of the week: a Sentinel-1 image of Germany’s state of Bavaria, also featured on the Earth from Space video programme

Space science image of the week: Intricate dust lanes are revealed in this far-infrared view of the constellation Carina

Our week through the lens:
13-17 July 2015

Watch the replay of the full MSG-4 launch coverage from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 15 July

Telecom satellites are set to enter a new age, as ESA, Eutelsat and Airbus Defence & Space begin designing the most flexible payload ever. 

This image, based on housekeeping data from ESA’s Gaia satellite, is no ordinary depiction of the heavens. While the image portrays the outline of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, and of its neighbouring Magellanic Clouds, it was obtained in a rather unusual way.

First blog post by Jan Woerner, on taking up duty as ESA Director General

Telescopes around the globe recently homed in on one point in the sky, observing the paired Didymos asteroids – the target for ESA’s proposed Asteroid Impact Mission.

The 800 m-diameter main body is orbited by a 170 m moon, informally dubbed Didymoon. The duo were more favourably placed from March until early June for studies.

Our week through the lens:
22-26 June 2015

Watch the replay of the full Sentinel-2A launch coverage from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 23 June

Earth observation image of the week: a Sentinel-1A image of the Indonesian island of Borneo, also featured on the Earth from Space video programme

Tomorrow’s satellites must evolve – because the space they operate in is changing. New regulations on cutting space debris are influencing satellite design, and ESA is reaching out to satellite builders.

ESA’s goal of removing a derelict satellite from orbit is picking up pace, as a mission design is assembled to be put before European ministers next year for approval.