ESA’s experimental OPS-SAT CubeSat mission came to an end during the night of 22—23 May 2024 (CEST). Launched on 18 December 2019, OPS-SAT was tasked with opening up the world of spacecraft operations to the widest possible audience. Its founding principle was to provide a fast, no-charge, non-bureaucratic experiment service for European and Canadian industry […]

During the five days of ILA, Europe’s access to space will be one of the spotlight topics. ESA will unveil the launch date for the inaugural flight of Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher, Ariane 6. This next-generation launch vehicle will enable Europe to maintain autonomous access to space while initiating a shift towards a more competitive […]

Using data from NASA’s Magellan mission, scientists have discovered direct geological evidence of ongoing volcanic activity on the surface of Venus. The study, led by Davide Sulcanese of d’Annunzio University in Pescara, Italy, analyzed lava flows observed in two locations on the planet, revealing that the volcanic activity on Venus could be comparable to that […]

The Mahajamba river system in western Madagascar is distinct for its reddish-colored water caused by sediment from upstream. During heavy rainfall, the bright red soils are washed from hills into streams and rivers, eventually reaching the coast. This phenomenon has been spotted by astronauts on the International Space Station, who have described it as “bleeding […]

The stage is set for an electrifying moment in space exploration as ESA’s Young Professionals Satellite, YPSat, undergoes meticulous preparations in a cleanroom at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This cutting-edge satellite is destined to embark on the inaugural flight of the highly anticipated Ariane 6 rocket, an event that promises to redefine the boundaries […]

With the second successful wet dress rehearsal (WDR) completed, SpaceX is making final preparations for the highly anticipated Flight 4 of the Starship vehicle. After successfully loading more than 10 million pounds of propellant into the stacked Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage, the company confirmed that the launch is targeted as early as […]

Mars Express, ESA’s orbiting spacecraft, takes us on a breathtaking journey through Nili Fossae, a mesmerizing region on the Red Planet. Nili Fossae is characterized by parallel trenches, known as graben, that stretch for hundreds of kilometers across the Martian surface. These enigmatic features are a testament to the planet’s dynamic geological history. The video […]

EarthCARE carries four instruments that work together to study clouds and atmospheric aerosols, enabling a comprehensive understanding of their impact on Earth’s climate. The Atmospheric LIDAR (ATLID) measures the altitudes of cloud tops and aerosols using a laser and telescope. It emits ultraviolet pulses and detects the scattered light to calculate the altitude and infer […]

The North Korean space agency launched a Chollima 1 satellite launch vehicle from Sohae on the west coast of the country at 13:44 UTC on Monday, May 27. However, the vehicle exploded during first stage flight, marking the third failure out of the launcher’s four flights to date. The Chollima 1 vehicle, named after a […]

Euclid’s powerful instruments have captured breathtaking images that reveal the awe-inspiring beauty and complexity of the cosmos. These unprecedented cosmic vistas provide an unparalleled glimpse into the vast expanse of the Universe, unveiling celestial wonders that have long remained shrouded in mystery. One of the remarkable images showcases a mesmerizing tapestry of galaxies, each one […]