English

Space

The Big Question

The Big Question: Can European astronauts get to space without NASA?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Europe News

UK to launch new military space squadron to protect satellites

Last year, the head of UK Space Command Major General Paul Tedman warned he was "really worried" by Russia attempting to jam British military satellites on a regular basis.

Europe in Motion

Is Italy Europe's new space power?

In the past 15 years, Rome has doubled its civilian space budget. Where is it putting the money?

Culture news

'Starship Troopers' director confirms Donald Trump's space uniforms are Nazi-inspired

“I don’t know if this president is aware that the movie says these [characters] are fascists without knowing that they’re fascists. That’s the point,” said Paul Verhoeven, the director of 'Starship Troopers' - which was the direct reference cited by Trump when posting about Space Force uniforms.

Space

FLEX satellite in orbit: studying plant responses to climate change from space

The mission will study photosynthesis and how vegetation responds to climate change, while the new Sentinel-3C monitors oceans, land, ice and the atmosphere.

ADVERTISEMENT

USA

United States Space Force says US has weapons in orbit

Once a hunting ground for Cold War bragging rights, space has now evolved into a key strategic arena, as states jostle for a military and technological edge.

Tech News

There won’t be any cities on the Moon any time soon, scientists say

Despite recent breakthroughs mapping the lunar surface to analyse the feasibility of building lunar cities, a new study pours cold water on the prospect of permanent colonisation.

Space

French astronaut: Europe must 'maximise scientific return' from ISS

The French astronaut urged Europe and his home country to "maximise the scientific return" from the European Space Agency's next mission to the International Space Station, while stressing the importance of spaceflight for Europe’s strategic sovereignty in space.

Space

3D printing to colonise Mars after the Moon: the biomaterials tested by scientists

As the Artemis programme readies a Moon landing with an Italian habitat module, research tests 3D-printed homes on Mars using regolith and yeast. From Hong Kong labs to NASA, 3D tech could redefine life in space.

Space

Macron and von der Leyen back stronger European space sector in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to space at a major summit co-hosted by France and Germany in Paris.

Space

France-Germany space summit hit by US withdrawals and Merz absence

France is co-hosting a major space summit with Germany this week, as Europe finds itself at a strategic crossroads.

Space

Germany's satellite rocket marks first successful launch from continental Europe

German company Isar Aerospace has placed its Spectrum rocket in low Earth orbit at the second attempt, becoming the first European firm to do so with its own launcher and hitting the first milestone of ESA's European Launcher Challenge.

Earth News

Up to 1km-thick ice: Swiss meteorite offers new insight into the Ice Age

More and more fragments of the Twannberg meteorite are being found in the Bernese Jura; over 2,200 pieces are known, and the rare iron meteorite is highly valuable for research.

Space

MTG-I2 satellite launches on Ariane 6, completing Europe's new weather satellite constellation

The launch of MTG-I2 from French Guiana completes the first trio of Meteosat Third Generation satellites, delivering high-resolution data and images every 2.5 minutes to transform weather forecasting and early warnings of extreme events.

Space

ESA signs first major European Launcher Challenge contract with Spain's PLD Space

ESA has signed its first contract with PLD Space under the European Launcher Challenge, worth 158.9 million euros, to boost MIURA 5 launches and new orbital capabilities.

Earth News

Wake up early for Friday’s partial lunar eclipse: Where to see it

At maximum eclipse on 27–28 August, Earth’s dark umbral shadow will cover 96% of the Moon’s face - an almost total eclipse.

Space

Mission accomplished for Sophie Adenot: ISS antenna installed

After her 18 August spacewalk as the first French woman in orbit, Sophie Adenot has again left the ISS with US astronaut Anil Menon to successfully replace a station antenna.