ESA Top News

First SMOS data received

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:20:00 +0100

This image is the first data sent to Earth by the MIRAS instrument on ESA's SMOS satellite, launched on 2 November. It was acquired as part of the initial functional verification test since the instrument was switched on on Tuesday.

Inauguration of site of Galileo station at Kourou

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:50:00 +0100

ESA PR 29-2009. The site of a ground station for Galileo, Europe's global navigation satellite system, inside the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), near Kourou in French Guiana, was inaugurated on 19 November.

SMOS satellite instrument comes alive

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:30:00 +0100

The MIRAS instrument on ESA's SMOS satellite, launched earlier this month, has been switched on and is operating normally. MIRAS will map soil moisture and ocean salinity to improve our understanding of the role these two key variables play in regulating Earth’s water cycle.

ESA Bulletin 140 (November 2009)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:14:00 +0100

This issue celebrates the anniversary of the beginning of Europe’s independent adventure into space, the first launch of Ariane 1 in 1979. Read the Bulletin and other publications online, with our visualiser tool.
Read online

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.

Watch on Euronews: The Ariane Story

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Ariane launches might seem routine - but it's a routine that's been going on for 30 years. Each launch is a technological and masterpiece, requiring specialised teams, coordinators and team leaders.

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

ESA’s Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations, Peter Hulsroj, and Estonian Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, Juhan Parts, signed the Cooperation Agreement on 10 November in Tallinn.

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.

Climate studies to benefit from 12 years of satellite aerosol data

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Aerosols, very small particles suspended in the air, play an important role in the global climate balance and in regulating climate change. They are one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in climate change models. ESA's GlobAerosol project has been making the most of European satellite capabilities to monitor them.

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.

Hylas payload shipped to India

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

Hylas, a flexible, broadband Ka-band satellite, is steadily moving towards completion. The communications payload has been shipped from England to India for integration with the platform, marking a key milestone for the project.

Development of the ESMO student Moon satellite gets under way

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:24:00 +0100

ESA's Education Office has awarded a contract to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd of the UK to manage the development and testing of the first European student mission to the Moon. Launch is expected in 2013-2014.

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.

Important information for ESA suppliers

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

Starting January 2010, EFIS, the current ESA financial and invoicing system, will be replaced with ‘esa-p’.

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.

SMOS forms three-pointed star in the sky

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0100

Following the launch of ESA’s SMOS satellite on 2 November, the French space agency CNES, which is responsible for operating the satellite, has confirmed that the instrument’s three antenna arms have deployed as planned, and that the instrument is in good health.

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.

Two new ESA satellites successfully lofted into orbit

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 02:58:00 +0100

ESA PR 28-2009. The second satellite in ESA’s Earth Explorer series – the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission – and the second demonstration satellite under ESA’s Project for Onboard Autonomy (Proba-2) were launched into orbit last night from northern Russia.

SMOS and Proba-2 ready for launch

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:18:00 +0100

The Russian State Commission has given the go-ahead to fuel the Rockot launcher that will take ESA's SMOS and Proba-2 satellites into orbit. This formal authorisation confirms that launch can take place on 2 November at 02:50 CET (01:50 UT).

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.

Follow the launch of ESA's SMOS and Proba-2 satellites

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:31:00 +0100

ESA PR 27-2009. ESA's SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) and Proba-2 (PRoject for OnBoard Autonomy) satellites are scheduled for launch on Monday 2 November at 02:50 CET on a Russian Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia.

SMOS and Proba-2 installed in launch tower

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:31:00 +0100

In readiness for launch on 2 November, ESA’s SMOS and Proba-2 satellites – encapsulated in the launcher fairing – have been transported from the cleanroom and installed in the launch tower at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.

Final look at ESA’s SMOS and Proba-2 satellites

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0100

As preparations for the launch of SMOS and Proba-2 continue on schedule, the engineers and technicians at the Russian launch site say goodbye as both satellites are encapsulated within the half-shells of the Rockot fairing.

Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars mission

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:06:00 +0100

Starting in 2010, an international crew of six will simulate a 520-day round-trip to Mars, including a 30-day stay on the martian surface. In reality, they will live and work in a sealed facility in Moscow, Russia, to investigate the psychological and medical aspects of a long-duration space mission. ESA is looking for European volunteers to take part.

The ambitions of Europe in space

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:11:00 +0100

A conference on ‘The Ambitions of Europe in Space’ on 15 and 16 October brought together members of the European Parliament, Council, European Commission, agencies, industry, research entities, operators, financing institutions as well as interested people from the media and public.

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.

Satellite data look behind the scenes of deadly earthquake

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:16:00 +0100

Using satellite radar data and GPS measurements, Chinese researchers have explained the exceptional geological events leading to the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake that killed nearly 90 000 people in China’s Sichuan Province.

Space exploration: European Ministers in Prague prepare a roadmap towards a common vision

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:22:00 +0100

ESA PR 26-2009. Ministers from the 29 European Space Agency and European Union Member States will meet in Prague on 23 October for the 1st EU-ESA International Conference on Human Space Exploration, to prepare a roadmap leading to the definition of a common vision and strategic planning for space exploration.

IAC 2009 opens in South Korea: Space for Sustainable Peace and Progress

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:50:00 +0100

The 60th International Astronautical Congress was officially opened today in Daejeon, South Korea. The Daejeon Convention Centre, under the aegis of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the International Astronautical Federation, is this week welcoming some 3000 space experts from more than 70 countries.

First European commander of the International Space Station

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:04:00 +0100

ESA astronaut Frank De Winne became the first European commander of the International Space Station this morning with the departure of Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka who had filled this role since April. De Winne is the first non-American and non-Russian to take on this role.

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.

EGNOS ‘Open Service’ available: a new era for European navigation begins today

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0100

During a press conference today, Mr Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President for Transport Policy, announced the official start of operations for EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. The EGNOS ‘Open Service’ is now available.

Hubble highlights two galaxies that are losing it

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0100

Newly released images, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope before the recent Servicing Mission, highlight the ongoing drama in two galaxies in the Virgo Cluster affected by a process known as ‘ram pressure stripping’, which can result in peculiar-looking galaxies.

Augmented reality to help astronauts make sense of space

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Life aboard the International Space Station is hard work. Crewmembers have a multiplicity of complex tasks, potentially involving thousands of tools, components and other items. But ESA astronaut Frank De Winne has begun testing the prototype of an unusual helper designed to make astronaut life easier.

ESA astronaut takes classroom into space

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:07:00 +0100

Hundreds of schoolchildren were linked to a special classroom today when ESA astronaut Frank De Winne demonstrated a curriculum-related experiment in space from inside the European Columbus laboratory during a live link-up between the International Space Station and four European science museums.

ESA to call for ideas for climate change studies from ISS

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:48:00 +0100

ESA will soon start looking for ideas to use the International Space Station as a platform to conduct research into global climate change.

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.

ESA astronaut returns to Earth with Columbus lab experiment

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:20:00 +0100

ESA PR 22-2009. Space Shuttle Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, at 02:53 CEST (on 12 September) completing all objectives of the 14-day STS-128 mission to the International Space Station.

Proba-2 flies into its Russian launch site

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 08:25:00 +0100

Proba-2 has reached Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, where it is being prepared for launch this November. Among the smallest satellites ever built by ESA, it was transported there aboard an Ilyushin cargo plane.

New class of European astronauts report for training

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 13:41:00 +0100

ESA’s new astronaut recruits reported this week to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. The six have started the first days of their 18-month basic training in preparation for future missions to the International Space Station and beyond.

ESA astronaut answers your questions from space

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 08:45:00 +0100

How do you wash your clothes in space? How does food stay fresh if there is no fridge on the ISS? ESA’s Frank De Winne is answering these, and many more of your questions, right now, from space. Upload your question to Frank »»

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.

UN photo contest zooms in on drylands

Wed, 6 May 2009 09:40:00 +0100

As part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about the urgent need for action against desertification and land degradation, the UN is calling on all aspiring photographers to participate in its second international photo contest.

Chaotic terrain in Ariadnes Colles

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:49:00 +0100

These images, taken by the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera, show the region of Ariadnes Colles on the Red Planet.

Boosting innovation with space technology

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme is holding its second annual ‘SpaceTransfer’ event at this year’s Hanover Fair from 20 to 24 April. SpaceTransfer09 presents a number of impressive spin-offs, illustrating the potential of advanced space technology.

Mars Webcam back online

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:17:00 +0100

After being offline for three months while Mars Express passed behind the Sun, the Visual Monitoring Camera (VMC) - known around here affectionately and unofficially as the 'Mars Webcam' - is back in action.

Full story

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.

Cassini finds mingling moons may share a dark past

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:49:00 +0100

Despite the incredible diversity of Saturn’s icy moons, theirs is a story of great interaction. Some are pock-marked, some seemingly dirty, others pristine, one spongy, one two-faced, some still spewing with activity and some seeming to be captured from the far reaches of the solar system. Yet many of them have a common thread - black ‘stuff’ coating their surfaces.

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.