In an exciting display of power and precision, the main engine of Ariane 6, a new rocket developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), was ignited for a full-duration test in Kourou, French Guiana. The test, which took place on the launch pad, showcased the immense potential of the rocket and its ability to propel […]

In a groundbreaking achievement, students from University College Dublin, under the guidance of ESA’s Education Office, have built Ireland’s first satellite, EIRSAT-1. This 2-unit CubeSat carries three experiments, including a novel gamma ray detector that will study some of the most luminous explosions in the universe. The journey of EIRSAT-1 began in 2017 when the […]

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission recently captured stunning images of two beautiful and colorful lakes in East Africa: Lake Natron in northern Tanzania and Lake Magadi in southern Kenya. These images provide a unique glimpse into the natural wonders of these salty lakes and the diverse ecosystems they support. Lake Natron, located at the bottom of […]

On 23 November 2023, Ariane 6, the next-generation European launch vehicle, underwent a significant milestone in its preparation for its inaugural flight. The rocket carried out a full-scale rehearsal, which included complex fuelling, a launch countdown, and the ignition of its core stage Vulcain 2.1 engine. This rehearsal aimed to simulate the entire core stage […]

ESA’s CryoSat satellite, dedicated to measuring the thickness of polar sea ice and monitoring changes in ice sheets, recently faced a fuel leak that threatened to end its mission in 2025. However, a successful swap to its back-up propulsion system has potentially extended the satellite’s lifespan by 5 to 10 years. CryoSat’s thirteen-year climate record […]

SpaceX is making significant progress towards its goal of completing 100 launches in 2023. The company had a busy week with two Starlink missions and the second launch of the Starship. The first launch involved a Falcon 9 rocket placing 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. This was followed by ExPace launching an unknown payload […]

In recent years, there has been a shift in imaging methodology towards instruments specifically designed for astrophotography. The William Optics RedCat71 from First Light Optics is one such instrument that aims to meet the needs of astrophotographers. This magazine-style scientific article will provide an analysis of the RedCat71 and its features. The first thing that […]

Forty years ago this month, European-built Spacelab made its historic debut in space, marking the European Space Agency’s (ESA) entry into human spaceflight activities. On November 28, 1983, the Spacelab-1 mission was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on board Space Shuttle Columbia, carrying ESA’s first astronaut, Ulf Merbold. This mission was significant in […]

The William Optics RedCat 71 is a new astrophotography telescope that aims to deliver high-quality imaging performance. With its all-red livery and compact tube length of just 335mm, it’s an attractive and portable option for astrophotographers. The RedCat 71 comes in a durable and padded nylon carry-case, which meets the dimensions for airline hand-luggage. This […]

SpaceX’s Starship is set for its second test flight after obtaining final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and US Fish and Wildlife Service. The launch is scheduled for November 18 at 7:00 AM CST, following a one-day delay to fix an issue with Booster 9’s grid fin actuators. The first test flight of Starship, […]