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Press Releases

Published by the ESA Newsroom and Media Relations

email: media @ esa.int (Media inquiries only)

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Press Release N° 19–2026
Science & Exploration

Splashdown for Artemis II

Today at 17:07 local time on 10 April, 01:07 BST/02:07 CEST on 11 April, NASA’s Orion spacecraft and its crew splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, marking the end of the Artemis II mission. ESA’s European Service Module powered this historic mission that brought four astronauts around the Moon and back for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.
11/04/2026 40 views
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Press Release N° 18–2026
Science & Exploration

Europe powers Artemis II mission to the Moon

At the heart of the Artemis II crewed mission is ESA’s European Service Module, which powers, propels and sustains the Orion spacecraft and its crew on their journey around the Moon and safely back to Earth.
02/04/2026 3487 views
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Press Release N° 17–2026
Applications

Celeste’s first satellites launched to explore LEO-based satellite navigation

On 28 March, the European Space Agency (ESA) took a major step forward in strengthening Europe's ambition for more resilient satellite navigation, as the first two satellites of the Celeste in-orbit demonstration mission lifted off from New Zealand aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron. Their mission is to begin testing a complementary low Earth orbit layer for Galileo. 
28/03/2026 997 views
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Press Release N° 16–2026
Agency

Key outcomes of the 345th ESA Council meeting

The ESA Council concluded its 345th meeting with decisions that advance Europe’s human spaceflight, strengthen international partnerships and enhance planetary defence capabilities.
19/03/2026 1465 views
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Press Release N° 15–2026
Agency

Cyprus becomes Associate Member of the European Space Agency

The Republic of Cyprus became an Associate Member of the European Space Agency (ESA) on 17 March 2026, following the entry into force of the Association Agreement signed on 23 October 2025. The seven‑year agreement opens the way for Cyprus’s participation in ESA’s optional programmes.
19/03/2026 2623 views
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Press Release N° 14–2026
Science & Exploration

Media invitation: Smile pre-launch online media briefings

Media are invited to join online briefings in several languages ahead of the launch of the Smile mission on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
18/03/2026 632 views
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Press Release N° 13–2026
Applications

Media invitation: three innovative European weather and climate satellites in the cleanroom

Journalists are invited to a one-off opportunity to see three ESA-built satellites in their final preparations before liftoff. 
11/03/2026 1020 views
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Press Release N° 12–2026
Applications

Media invitation: First Celeste launch online media briefings

Media are invited to join online media briefings in several languages ahead of the inaugural launch of ESA’s Celeste LEO-PNT in-orbit demonstration constellation. The first two satellites are scheduled to lift off no earlier than 24 March aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from New Zealand.
06/03/2026 787 views
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