ESA Top News

Node-3 and Cupola: European technology to complete the ISS

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 07:44:00 +0100

ESA PR 02-2010 Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched at 10:14:08 CET today and is heading for the International Space Station carrying two sophisticated European modules: Node-3 (Tranquility) and Cupola. Their installation will mark the completion of the non-Russian part of the ISS, with more than a third of the pressurised Station elements designed and built in Europe.

ESA Bulletin 141 (February 2010)

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:14:00 +0100

On the cover this month, CryoSat-2 is shown here complete, and now on schedule for launch later in February. Read the Bulletin and other publications online, with our visualiser tool.
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ESA - Euronews Space Magazine Satellites and major disasters

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The tragic earthquake in Haiti last month triggered a vast international rescue effort. Euronews looks at how observation satellites are helping in the emergencies that follow major natural disasters.

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First journey for Alphabus

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 16:30:00 +0100

The service module of the new Alphabus generation of telecommunication satellites has completed its first journey – from Cannes to Toulouse, in France. The three-day trip was completed last Friday.

Craters young and old in Sirenum Fossae

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera has imaged craters both young and old in this view of the Southern Highlands of Mars.

World Wetlands Day focuses on climate change

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 09:46:00 +0100

World Wetlands Day 2010: 'Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change' stresses the fact that caring for wetlands is a part of the solution to climate change with the slogan: 'Caring for wetlands – an answer to climate change.'

Live long and prosper, Xanthoria elegans

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:24:00 +0100

Space is a hostile environment for living things, but small organisms on the Expose-E experiment unit outside Europe’s Columbus ISS laboratory module have resisted the solar UV radiation, cosmic rays, vacuum and varying temperatures for 18 months. A certain lichen seems to be particularly happy in open space!

Glacier-melting debate highlights importance of satellites

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0100

The intense public debate on how rapidly the Himalayan glaciers are retreating highlights the necessity for the constant monitoring of glaciers worldwide by satellites.

Auspicious orbit marks run-up to Phobos flyby

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:20:00 +0100

On 26 January, Mars Express completed its 7777th orbit around the Red Planet, an auspicious milestone as the satellite is readied for the closest-ever flyby of Phobos, scheduled for just a few weeks from now.

Major Galileo contracts signed

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Yesterday, Mr René Oosterlinck, ESA’s Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation-related Activities, signed the first three contracts for the Galileo full operational capability phase. This event marks the start of building the Galileo operational infrastructure.

First International Security Symposium

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:11:00 +0100

On 9 and 10 February, ESA will hold its First International Security Symposium, to share information on security approaches, challenges and evolution that international organisations face in the current geopolitical situation.

Technology-testing Proba-2 opens new eye on the Sun

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:57:00 +0100

Packed with novel devices and science instruments, Proba-2 is demonstrating technologies for future ESA missions while providing new views of our Sun.

Slovenia becomes sixth ESA European Cooperating State

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:29:00 +0100

Slovenia becomes the sixth European country to sign the European Cooperating State Agreement with ESA.

Feeding our future – nutrition on Earth and in space

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:24:00 +0100

There are of course many technical challenges when planning missions to the Moon and beyond, but there is another important question: what should the astronauts have for dinner?

Congo receives help from space after volcano eruption

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:25:00 +0100

On 2 January, Mount Nyamulagira in the Democratic Republic of Congo erupted, spewing lava from its southern flank and raising concerns that the 100 000 people in the town of Sake could be under threat.

Concordia calling

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:18:00 +0100

Altitude 3200 m, air pressure 645 hPa, minimum temperature –85°C, completely flat landscape, almost total isolation and virtually inaccessible from February to November. Welcome to the science paradise, Concordia research station on the Antarctic highland. The door is open for research groups from all over Europe.

Spacecraft dockings improve car assembly

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The next car comes down the conveyor belt ready for the dashboard to be added. Speed and position are controlled as if it were a spacecraft docking automatically with the International Space Station. Invented by entrepreneurs at ESA’s Business Incubation Centre, a new system using similar docking technology precisely fits the dashboard into the car.

Proba-2’s first achievements to be unveiled

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:31:00 +0100

Proba-2 is among the smallest spacecraft ever launched by ESA – less than a cubic metre – but it prepares technologies for future ESA missions, as well as giving scientists a new view of the Sun.

Herschel readies itself for the Orion Nebula

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:36:00 +0100

ESA’s Herschel observatory is back to full operation following the reactivation of its HIFI instrument. HIFI, having been offline for 160 days while engineers investigated an unexpected problem in the electronic system, is now perfectly placed to resume its study of forming stars and planets.

Tooling up ExoMars

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:28:00 +0100

ESA and NASA are inviting scientists from across the world to propose instruments for their joint Mars mission, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. Scheduled for launch in 2016, the spacecraft will focus on understanding the rarest constituents of the martian atmosphere, including the mysterious methane that could signal life on Mars.

Teams selected for ‘Fly Your Thesis!’ 2010 microgravity programme

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:15:00 +0100

Following the debut of ESA’s ‘Fly Your Thesis!’ programme in 2009, four teams of university students have been selected to conduct their microgravity experiments during a second series of parabolic flights aboard an aircraft.

New satellite maps of Haiti coming in

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:16:00 +0100

As rescue workers scramble to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of people following Haiti’s earthquake, Earth observation satellite data continues to provide updated views of the situation on the ground.

First satellite map of Haiti earthquake

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:16:00 +0100

A major 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on 12 January, causing major casualties and damage. The quake was followed by several aftershocks with magnitudes over 5.0.

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Huygens’ Titan touchdown

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:21:00 +0100

Five years ago today, ESA’s Huygens probe descended to the surface of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Today planetary scientists from around the world have gathered in Barcelona to discuss the legacy of Huygens and to consider future Titan exploration missions.

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Huygens’ Titan touchdown

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:21:00 +0100

ESA's ice mission arrives safely at launch site

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:58:00 +0100

In what might seem rather appropriate weather conditions, the CryoSat-2 Earth Explorer satellite has completed its journey to the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan, where it will be prepared for launch on 25 February.

Fifth anniversary of the landing on Titan

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:21:00 +0100

Five years ago today ESA’s Huygens probe reached the upper layer of Titan’s atmosphere and landed on the surface after a parachute descent of 2 hours and 28 minutes. As part of the joint NASA/ESA/ASI mission to Saturn and its moons, the Huygens probe was sent from the Cassini spacecraft to explore Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

European Commission announces the award of major Galileo contracts

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:40:00 +0100

Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President in charge of Transport, has announced today the award of three of the six contracts for the procurement of Galileo's initial operational capability.

Space technology helps mitigate climate change

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Space technologies have led to a number of inventions that benefit the environment and save energy. Satellite-based systems are reducing vehicles’ carbon dioxide emissions, remote-sensing technology is making wind turbines more efficient, and information from weather satellites is helping solar cells to produce more energy.

Forests take centre stage at Copenhagen

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

As the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen approaches its conclusion, negotiations are focusing on the role of forests in mitigating climate change. The new 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation' policy has gained widespread support as a central element of any new agreement.

Inside the dark heart of the Eagle

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:55:00 +0100

Herschel has peered inside an unseen stellar nursery and revealed surprising amounts of activity. Some 700 newly-forming stars are estimated to be crowded into filaments of dust stretching through the image. The image is the first new release of ‘OSHI’, ESA’s Online Showcase of Herschel Images.

ESA and World Bank move towards closer collaboration

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. At first glance, this may not appear to be connected to space technology, but large development projects and the state of Earth’s environment are intrinsically linked.

‘Environmental Atlas of Europe’ unveiled at COP15

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

In support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Copenhagen, the European Environment Agency hosted the 'Bend the Trend' event on Sunday evening to provide a global climate networking platform and premiere the screening of the new 'Environmental Atlas of Europe'.

Space agencies join forces to systematically observe climate variables

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:47:00 +0100

Over 30 000 people from 190 nations are gathered at the two-week UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. On Thursday about 150 distinguished guests attended an ESA-hosted side event entitled 'Global Monitoring of our Climate: the Essential Climate Variables'.

Pioneering images of both martian moons

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:45:00 +0100

For the very first time, the martian moons Phobos and Deimos have been caught on camera together. ESA's Mars Express orbiter took these pioneering images last month. Apart from their ‘wow’ factor, these unique images will help the HRSC team validate and refine existing orbit models of the two moons.

ESA’s Tigers on prowl for solar corona’s secrets

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Bring together a small group of highly motivated researchers, grant them full access to laboratory and production facilities, remove all administrative distractions, and let them work intensively for four to six months. That’s what ‘StarTiger’ is all about!

ESA exhibit opens at COP15

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 12:47:00 +0100

Today marks the official opening of ESA’s exhibition ‘Space for Earth, Understanding Climate Change from Space’ at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP15, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

XMM-Newton celebrates decade of discovery

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 10:17:00 +0100

ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory is celebrating its 10th anniversary. During its decade of operation, this remarkable space observatory has supplied new data for every aspect of astronomy. From our cosmic backyard to the further reaches of the Universe, XMM-Newton has changed the way we think of space.

Space technology optimises windmill efficiency

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 00:10:00 +0100

A French start-up company from ESA’s Business Incubation Centre in the Netherlands has developed a small instrument to measure wind speed and direction from the ground up to heights of 200 metres – information that is vital when deciding where to build a wind turbine to produce electricity.

Galileo satellite platform tests under way

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The engineering model of the first Galileo satellites has completed platform integration tests at the Thales Alenia Space facility in Rome. The platform is now undergoing functional testing. Delivery of the engineering model payload from Astrium UK is expected in December.

ESA astronaut Frank De Winne safely back on Earth

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:05:00 +0100

ESA PR 30-2009. The Soyuz TMA-15 reentry module landed safely in Kazakhstan at 13.15 local time (08.15 CET), bringing ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk back to Earth.

Swirling clouds over the South Pacific

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:52:00 +0100

Rosetta's OSIRIS imaging system spotted an anticyclone over the South Pacific on the morning of 13 November. The images show the scene roughly as a human eye would see it.

Rosetta sees a living planet

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0100

Images and data taken just before closest approach were downloaded this morning, and they show the lights of North America in the night and a glowing Southern Hemisphere.

Rosetta bound for outer Solar System after final Earth swingby

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:48:00 +0100

This morning, mission controllers confirmed that ESA’s comet chaser Rosetta had swung by Earth at 8:45 CET as planned, skimming past our planet to pick up a gravitational boost for an epic journey to rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014.

Rosetta darting across the night

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:44:00 +0100

During the night of 12/13 November, scientists working at ESA's Optical Ground Station in Tenerife, Spain, conducted observations to view Rosetta as the satellite approached Earth.

NOW REPLAYING: Rosetta swingby eventESA/ESOC, Darmstadt, 08:00-09:00 CET

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:15:00 +0100

Watch replay of the Rosetta Earth swingby event from ESA's European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, 13 November, 08:18-09:00 CET.

First view of Earth as Rosetta approaches home

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:38:00 +0100

This spectacular image of our home planet was captured by the OSIRIS instrument on ESA's Rosetta comet chaser earlier today as the spacecraft approached Earth for the third and final swingby. Closest approach is due at 08:45 CET, 13 November 2009. Follow Rosetta's progress at ESA's dedicated Rosetta site and via the Rosetta Blog.

ESA spacecraft may help unravel cosmic mystery

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:45:00 +0100

When Europe's comet chaser Rosetta swings by Earth tomorrow for a critical gravity assist, tracking data will be collected to precisely measure the satellite's change in orbital energy. The results could help unravel a cosmic mystery that has stumped scientists for two decades.

Estonia becomes fifth ESA European Cooperating State

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:29:00 +0100

Estonia becomes the fifth European country to sign the European Cooperating State Agreement with ESA.

Seeing stars, Proba-2 platform passes its first health check

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:33:00 +0100

Into its second week in orbit, Proba-2’s platform has proven to be in excellent health. This leaves the way clear for commissioning the many new technology payloads aboard the mini-satellite, among the smallest ever flown by ESA.

First ‘Fly Your Thesis!’ campaign gives students a taste of space

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:10:00 +0100

ESA’s ‘Fly Your Thesis!’ programme made its successful debut during ESA’s 51st Parabolic Flight Campaign, held 25 October to 5 November. Four student teams from five European countries took advantage of this new educational initiative to conduct microgravity experiments on the Airbus A300 ‘Zero G’ aircraft.

Rosetta approach on schedule

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:21:00 +0100

After the trajectory correction manoeuvre on 22 October, Rosetta has lined up on a near-perfect Earth approach path. The manoeuvre was so precise that mission controllers decided not to use the additional manoeuvre slot that was available yesterday.

Chaotic terrain between Kasei Valles and Sacra Fossae

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:40:00 +0100

Mars Express flew over the boundary between Kasei Valles and Sacra Fossae and imaged the region, acquiring spectacular views of the chaotic terrain in the area.

Go-live esa-p supplier update

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:26:00 +0100

The preparation activities for the opening of esa-p are drawing to a conclusion. The technical teams and the ESA programme directorates are currently validating the loading of data in the new system. To provide a satisfactory environment for ESA suppliers to manage their invoicing reliably at go-live of the system, extra validations are being performed that will slightly change the opening date of the esa-p system to external users. It has been decided that the opening date will be 19 February 2010.

Follow Rosetta’s final Earth boost

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:15:00 +0100

ESA’s comet chaser Rosetta will swing by Earth for the last time on 13 November to pick up energy and begin the final leg of its 10-year journey to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. ESA’s European Space Operations Centre will host a media briefing on that day.

Spin Your Thesis! 2010 call for proposals

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:01:00 +0100

ESA is offering European students the opportunity to conduct hypergravity experiments, with a call for proposals for the 2010 ‘Spin Your Thesis!’ programme.

Search and rescue aid wins navigation prize

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:21:00 +0100

The Galileo Master prize for 2009 has been awarded to José Caro Ramón for his use of satellite navigation to increase the effectiveness of rescue dogs searching for survivors after natural disasters. The ESA prize went to Tim Springer for his idea of centimetre-level satnav positioning in near-realtime.

More efficient solar power with space technology

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:47:00 +0100

A new system from an Italian company uses weather satellite data to estimate the potential of solar cell power plants and monitor their performance. The approach helps to give a faster return on investments in clean solar energy.

Lava flows in Daedalia Planum

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 10:50:00 +0100

Mars Express imaged Daedalia Planum, a sparsely cratered, untextured plain on the Red Planet featuring solidified lava flows of varying ages.

Europe and US agree on civil space transportation cooperation

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:52:00 +0100

ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday 11 September for cooperation in the field of space transportation.

Mars, methane and mysteries

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Mars may not be as dormant as scientists once thought. The 2004 discovery of methane means that either there is life on Mars, or that volcanic activity continues to generate heat below the martian surface. ESA plans to find out which it is. Either outcome is big news for a planet once thought to be biologically and geologically inactive.

Craters, lava flows and tectonic features near Ma'adim Vallis

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:30:00 +0100

The Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera imaged a region close to Ma’adim Vallis, one of the largest canyons on Mars, finding craters, lava flows and tectonic features.

ESA and EUMETSAT sign GMES Framework Agreement

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:44:00 +0100

ESA and EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, signed on 20 July a Framework Agreement on the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) Programme.

Saturn's moon shows evidence of ammonia

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:04:00 +0100

Data collected during two close flybys of Saturn's moon Enceladus by Cassini add more fuel to the fire about the icy world containing sub-surface liquid water.

ESA's Director General on Apollo 11 anniversary

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:00 +0100

ESA's Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain discusses the significance of the Apollo anniversary and of continuing lunar exploration.

Europeans experts at Mars school in China

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:53:00 +0100

As the launch of the first Chinese mission to Mars gets closer, an ESA-sponsored Mars Advanced School will be held next week in China. Students will have the chance to learn more about Mars from experts, including ESA scientists.

Cassini finding hints at ocean within Saturn’s moon Enceladus

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:55:00 +0100

European scientists on the joint NASA/ESA Cassini mission have detected, for the first time, sodium salts in ice grains of Saturn’s E-ring, which is primarily replenished by material from the plumes of water vapour and ice grains emitted by Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The detection of salty ice indicates that the little moon harbours a reservoir of liquid water, perhaps even an ocean, beneath its surface.

City information directly on your mobile

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:03:00 +0100

This month, a start-up company from ESA’s Business Incubation Centre launched a new mobile phone service which provides, with the help of satellite and telecommunication technology, location-based information on shopping, entertainment, tourism, and public transportation.

Craters and channels in Hephaestus Fossae

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 15:31:00 +0100

The High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express orbiter has obtained images of Hephaestus Fossae, a region on Mars dotted with craters and channel systems.

Using space technology to monitor offshore oil and gas fields

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 09:47:00 +0100

With the help of ESA technology used in the monitoring and control of satellites, a start-up company at ESA’s Business Incubation Centre has developed a system to monitor offshore oil and gas installations.

Start of Cassini's new mission

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 17:31:00 +0100

The Cassini spacecraft has a new two-year mission that will address new questions and bring it closer to two of its most intriguing targets: Titan and Enceladus. On 30 June, Cassini completed its four-year prime mission and began its extended mission, which was approved in April this year.

Full story

Cassini’s grand tour of Saturn extended

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:22:00 +0100

The operations of the Cassini spacecraft, part of the international NASA/ ESA/ ASI Cassini-Huygens mission, have been extended by NASA by two years. The historic mission’s stunning discoveries and images have revolutionised our knowledge of Saturn and its moons.

Cassini 'tastes' organic brew at Saturn’s geyser moon

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:21:00 +0100

The Cassini spacecraft tasted and sampled a surprising organic brew erupting in geyser-like fashion from Saturn's moon Enceladus during a close flyby on 12 March. Scientists are amazed that this tiny moon is so active, ‘hot’ and brimming with water vapour and organic chemicals.

Ocean may exist beneath Titan's crust

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:19:00 +0100

Cassini has discovered evidence that points to the existence of an underground ocean of water and ammonia on Saturn's moon Titan. The findings were made using radar measurements of Titan's rotation.

Saturn’s moon Rhea may also have rings

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 09:04:00 +0100

The Cassini spacecraft has found evidence of material orbiting Rhea, Saturn's second largest moon. This is the first time rings may have been found around a moon.

Discovery's return marks completion of Esperia Mission

Wed, 7 Nov 2007 11:01:00 +0100

Space Shuttle Discovery landed in Cape Canaveral, Florida this evening at 19:01 CET (18:01 UT), completing one of the most complex assembly missions to the International Space Station to date, bringing back seven crew members, including ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli.

See the ISS and Discovery in the morning sky over Europe

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 14:15:00 +0100

Early tomorrow morning there is a rare opportunity to see the Space Station flying in formation with Space Shuttle Discovery, homeward bound and due to land in Florida tomorrow evening.

Shuttle prepares to undock

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 06:33:00 +0100

After saying their farewells to the ISS crew yesterday evening, the STS-120 crew is preparing to undock from the International Space Station at 11:32 CET (10:32 UT) this morning. Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to touchdown in Florida at 19:02 CET (18:02 UT) on Wednesday.

Fourth spacewalk to repair solar array

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 15:38:00 +0100

Astronauts on board the International Space Station are preparing for a spacewalk to repair one of the Station's solar arrays. The fourth spacewalk of the STS-120 mission is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Second radio link-up between Nespoli and Italian students

Thu, 1 Nov 2007 14:36:00 +0100

The second amateur radio link-up between ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and Italian students took place yesterday morning at around 8:33 CET (07:33 UT). This link-up continues the Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS) educational activity, which is part of the joint ESA-ASI programme of education activities for the Esperia mission.

Paolo Nespoli talks with the Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:52:00 +0100

“Good morning Mr Nespoli and nice to see you too Commander Melroy [in English in the original],” that was how Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic, started the call with the ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and STS-120 Commander Pamela Melroy, on board the International Space Station.

Esperia Mission is extended by one day

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:07:00 +0100

ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and his fellow STS-120 crew members will stay in space for one extra day. Space Shuttle Discovery is now scheduled to land on 7 November.

Nespoli talks with Italian students via amateur radio

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:03:00 +0100

The first amateur radio link-up between ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and Italian students was established yesterday morning at around 9:30 CET (08:30 UT). On this occasion two classes participated: the IIS Deambrosis-Natta School, from Sestri Levante, near Genoa, and the Engineering Faculty of the University of L'Aquila.

Winners selected in ESA space art contest

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:00:00 +0100

Pupils from all over Germany joined ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter's ground-breaking Astrolab mission by taking part in an art contest. Over 500 excellent submissions made judging a challenge and showed that European students are interested in space and potential careers as scientists, engineers and explorers.

Personal digital assistants in space

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:02:00 +0100

Can tiny and ubiquitous devices like Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) be of use for space applications? The answer is a definite yes. Recent tests have demonstrated current and future uses for PDAs on board the International Space Station.

'You see all of Europe in one glance' - Thomas Reiter reports on his ISS mission

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:00:00 +0100

The ISS, symbol of international cooperation, became a bit more international with ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter's long-duration mission. Today, Reiter met the press for the first time since returning from the International Space Station, at ESA's European Astronaut Centre (EAC), in Cologne, Germany.

Press conference with ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter after his mission to the ISS

Fri, 5 Jan 2007 10:35:00 +0100

ESA PR 03-2007. On Thursday 18 January, a press conference will take place at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany to give media a chance to meet the ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, of Germany, after completion of his mission following the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery on 22 December.

ESA’s pair of astronauts back on Earth

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:18:00 +0100

ESA PR 49-2006. Space Shuttle Discovery landed in Cape Canaveral, Florida tonight at 23:32 CET (22:32 UTC/GMT), completing one of the most complex assembly missions to the International Space Station to date, and bringing back ESA's two astronauts, Christer Fuglesang and Thomas Reiter.

Reiter starts journey home

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:47:00 +0100

ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter started his journey back to Earth yesterday evening when Space Shuttle Discovery undocked from the International Space Station. Reiter spent a total of 166 days living on the orbiting outpost.

Thomas Reiter joins Shuttle descent crew

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:18:00 +0100

Early this morning, the installation of a new seat liner in the Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft marked the end of ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter's period as a member of the Space Station's Expedition crew.

Out-of-this-world cuisine

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 10:47:00 +0100

A French master chef has taken his meals to a new location this week. London? Tokyo? New York? Not far enough for Alain Ducasse Formation (ADF). Last Sunday their meals were served to the astronauts living on board the International Space Station.