European Space Agency
Coverage of European Space Agency in the Nexus archive.
- NASA's Chandra telescope reveals Milky Way's outer reaches may stretch farther than previously known
NASA's Chandra telescope and ESA's XMM-Newton observed gamma-ray bursts to measure dust clouds in the Milky Way's spiral arms, revealing they may extend farther than previously known. The study used geometric analysis of X-ray rings from bursts to determine distances, finding the most distant arm is about 3,500 light-years wide. This method improves precision over assumptions about galactic rotation.
- The growing number of satellites in orbit could soon make telescopes obsolete. 'For astronomy, this would obviously be catastrophic'
The article discusses the potential impact of increasing satellite numbers on astronomy, with experts warning it could render telescopes obsolete. It also highlights Tereza's background as a science and technology journalist with expertise in space and media.
- Burning Forests: Tools for Tracking and Reporting Wildfire Damage
The article discusses tools like NASA's fire-tracking tool, Copernicus Browser, and QGIS for analyzing wildfire damage, using Sicily's Zingaro Nature Reserve as a case study. It highlights the use of satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel-2) and vegetation health indices to assess burn severity and track fire recurrence linked to climate change.
- A large, harmless asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend
A large asteroid named 1997 NC1, approximately 2,461 to 5,413 feet wide, will pass Earth at a distance of 1.6 million miles this Saturday. The European Space Agency and NASA confirm it poses no danger, with its next close approach not expected until 2133. Similar-sized asteroids, like 1994 PC1 in 2022, have previously passed safely.
- A large, harmless asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend
A large asteroid, 1997 NC1, will pass Earth this weekend at a safe distance of 1.6 million miles, posing no threat. It is approximately the size of two to four Empire State Buildings and will not return until 2133. NASA, ESA, and other agencies track asteroids to ensure Earth's safety.
- Euclid telescope captures largest-ever image of the Milky Way’s galactic center
The European Space Agency released the largest and most detailed image of the Milky Way’s galactic center, captured by the Euclid telescope over 26 hours on March 23, 2025. The image includes over 60 million stars, nebulae, and star clusters, aiding in microlensing studies to detect exoplanets and measure planetary masses.
- NASA addresses criticism over all-male crew selected for Artemis III test mission
NASA addresses criticism over the all-male crew selection for the Artemis III test mission. The crew includes NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, Randy Bresnik, and Frank Rubio, along with European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano.
- NASA names 4 astronauts on the 'highly complex' Artemis III lunar training mission
NASA has selected four astronauts for the Artemis III lunar training mission, including Randy Bresnik (NASA commander), Luca Parmitano (European Space Agency pilot), Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas. The mission is described as 'highly complex' and is scheduled to launch next year.
- NASA unveils Artemis III astronauts to test technology for a future moon landing
NASA announced the Artemis III crew, who will orbit Earth and practice docking with lunar landers as part of preparations for a future moon landing. The mission, involving astronauts from NASA and the European Space Agency, is part of the Artemis program aiming for a 2028 lunar surface mission. SpaceX and Blue Origin are competing to develop lunar landers, with Blue Origin recently experiencing a rocket test failure.
- Nasa reveals Artemis III astronauts in next step towards moon landing
Nasa announced the crew for its Artemis III mission, a step toward landing astronauts on the moon. The crew will orbit Earth and practice docking their Orion spacecraft, following Artemis II's record-breaking lunar orbit.
- NASA names 4 astronauts for Artemis III mission to the moon
NASA has selected four astronauts and a backup crew member for the Artemis III moon mission. The crew includes Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio, who will test rendezvous and docking procedures with moon landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
- Nasa reverses evacuation alert order for astronauts aboard International Space Station
NASA reversed an evacuation order for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after a worsening air leak prompted temporary sheltering in SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The agency and Russia’s Roscosmos examined the leak rate, with Roscosmos stating no immediate threat to the crew despite ongoing efforts to repair cracks in the Zvezda service module. This marked the first reversal of a safe-haven order in the ISS’s 27-year history.
- British Paralympian could be first astronaut with physical disability to live in orbit
A British Paralympian and surgeon could become the first person with a physical disability to live in orbit after the UK Space Agency signed a deal with US startup Vast for a mission to the Haven-1 space station. John McFall, part of the European Space Agency astronaut reserve, is cleared for orbital activities and may participate in the mission following the station's 2027 launch.
- British ex-Paralympian set to be first physically impaired person to live and work in space
John McFall, a British ex-Paralympian, is set to become the first physically impaired person to live and work in space. He will travel to Germany to begin feasibility studies at the European Astronaut Centre with the European Space Agency.
- NASA announces three new Moon missions as agency races to build permanent lunar base by end of 2026
NASA announced three Moon missions (Moon Base I, II, III) by 2026 to establish a permanent lunar base, using commercial landers from Blue Origin and Astrobotic to test technologies for sustained human presence and Mars exploration.
- Japanese Space Agency names arrival date for BepiColombo Mercury mission
Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have confirmed the BepiColombo mission will arrive at Mercury on November 21, 2026, following a delayed schedule due to a thruster glitch. The mission, involving three spacecraft, aims to study Mercury’s interior and magnetosphere, marking humanity’s third mission to the planet.
- Europe tests laser links as satellite comms outgrow radio
Europe has developed a laser-equipped ground station in northern Greece to support secure and high-capacity satellite communications. The Holomondas Optical Ground Station will receive data from satellites via infrared laser links, providing higher throughput and security compared to traditional radio systems. This technology is expected to play a key role in future satellite constellations.
- Solar activity makes space junk crash to Earth faster
A coronal mass ejection captured by the ESA-NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory spacecraft increases the speed of space junk crashing to Earth. This event is related to solar activity. The crash of space junk to Earth is accelerated due to this phenomenon.
- All Four Sentinel-1 Satellites Are Now Live
The European Union's Copernicus program has activated all four Sentinel-1 satellites, enhancing Earth observation capabilities. This expansion strengthens Europe's ability to monitor environmental changes and support disaster response efforts through advanced radar imaging.
- Help scientists find spacetime warps in these Euclid Space Telescope images
The Euclid Space Telescope's images display gravitational lenses, where foreground objects bend light from distant features into arcs or Einstein rings. Scientists are seeking public help to identify spacetime warps in these images.
- Gateway manufacturer finally acknowledges issue, fails to mention "corrosion"
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman revealed corrosion issues in the Lunar Gateway's habitation modules during a congressional hearing, prompting initial skepticism. Northrop Grumman, the primary contractor, later acknowledged a manufacturing irregularity, while the European Space Agency confirmed corrosion in its module.
- Astronomers Find the Edge of the Milky Way
Astronomers have determined the edge of the Milky Way using star data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, revealing the galaxy is larger than previously thought. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, suggests the Milky Way's boundary extends to about 500,000 light-years in diameter.
- Scientists trace latest interstellar comet’s home to a cold, isolated corner of the Milky Way
Scientists traced interstellar comet 3I/Atlas to a cold, isolated region of the Milky Way, suggesting it formed in a pre-solar system environment. The comet, estimated at 11 billion years old, exhibits high deuterium levels in its water, indicating origins in a colder, less heated stellar nursery. The University of Michigan-led study used the ALMA observatory and Hubble Space Telescope for analysis.
- This life-hunting rover may be SpaceX's 1st-ever Mars launch
The Rosalind Franklin rover, designed to search for life on Mars, may be launched by SpaceX as its first mission to the Red Planet. The rover, developed by Europe, is depicted in an illustration exploring the Martian surface.
- All 12 moonwalkers had "lunar hay fever" from dust smelling like gunpowder
All 12 moonwalkers experienced 'lunar hay fever' due to the pungent smell of lunar dust, which resembled gunpowder. The European Space Agency (ESA) highlighted the toxic effects of Moon dust in an article. The phenomenon was reported to cause allergic reactions among astronauts during their missions.
- NASA restarts work to support Europe's uncrewed trip to Mars after years of setbacks
NASA has resumed work to support Europe's uncrewed Mars mission after years of delays and challenges. The collaboration aims to advance uncrewed exploration efforts despite past setbacks.
- NASA gets the ball rolling on its part in Europe's jinxed Mars rover mission
NASA is proceeding with its contribution to the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover mission despite a Trump administration attempt to cut funding. The mission, which has faced delays and budget challenges, is now moving forward.
- After a saga of broken promises, a European rover finally has a ride to Mars
NASA confirmed SpaceX will launch the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida as early as late 2028. The mission, delayed for years due to political issues and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was initially planned for 2009 under the Aurora program with a Russian Soyuz rocket.
- How to Fight a War in Space
The article explores strategies for conducting warfare in space, emphasizing technological advancements and strategic positioning. It highlights the growing importance of space as a critical domain for national security and military operations.
- Artemis II relied on European science: what that means for the region’s space ambitions
The Artemis II mission is highlighted as a success for both the European Space Agency and NASA, showcasing European scientific contributions. The article questions whether Europe will lead its own lunar missions in the future.
- When Satellite Imagery Goes Dark: New Tool Shows Damage in Iran and the Gulf
Bellingcat has launched an updated open-source tool called the Iran Conflict Damage Proxy Map to estimate building damage in Iran and the Gulf region using satellite imagery. The tool employs Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from the Sentinel-1 satellite and a damage detection algorithm to identify structural destruction when commercial satellite imagery access is restricted.