Operations

Europe’s ATV space ferry set for launch to Space Station

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:04:00 GMT

Fuel, water, oxygen, air and most of the dry cargo have been loaded into ESA's third Automated Transfer Vehicle, Edoardo Amaldi, as the 9 March liftoff approaches.

MSG ground controllers plug into satellite for live test

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:08:00 GMT

An intensive, two-day test of the third Meteosat Second Generation satellite saw ESA mission controllers in Germany connecting their computers to the satellite at a manufacturing facility in France. The test was a milestone in the lead up to launch this summer.

Space debris experts confirm estimate for Phobos–Grunt reentry

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Before the reentry of Russia’s Phobos–Grunt Mars probe on 15 January, ESA established a final prediction for reentry of 17:45 GMT, referring to an altitude of 10 km. Within the expected uncertainties, the prediction has been largely confirmed by observations.

First laser measurements of Europe's Galileo satellites made from Chile

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

The first laser ranging of Europe's new Galileo navigation satellites has been achieved from Concepción in Chile. Laser contact with the satellites at an altitude of 23 230 km has provided distance measurements with subcentimetre accuracy.

ESA signs contract for Space Station support

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:53:00 GMT

ESA signed a two-year contract with Astrium on 13 December to provide Industrial Operations Team support to the Agency’s human spaceflight activities.

Lifting of giant deep space antenna complete

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:02:00 GMT

On 7 December, the huge 35 m-diameter dish antenna for ESA's new deep space station at Malargüe, Argentina, was hoisted into place. The delicate and demanding operation took several hours and had to wait for a calm day with no wind. The station, known as DSA3, will enter service in 2012.

Malargüe tracking station powered up

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:43:00 GMT

On 29 November, the power plant at ESA's new 35m deep space station in Malargüe was connected to the public power network. The key construction milestone was overseen by the Governor of Argentina's Mendoza Province and the Mayor of Malargüe. A power line was specially deployed to the DSA3 site by the same local company that built the power plant to the highest quality standards. Connecting power was one of the last major milestones before lifting the huge 35 m-diameter antenna onto the station support, set for early in December.

Mars Express steadily returns to routine operation

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Mission controllers are making excellent progress in returning Mars Express to routine service. Some science activities have already resumed after being temporarily suspended last month following a series of faults related to the onboard data storage system.

A global discussion: directions for space science research

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Understanding osteoporosis, perfecting vaccines and developing new alloys all share one thing: they are just some of the many scientific fields that have advanced significantly through research performed in space.