ESA
New ESA director general outlines priorities
The new head of the European Space Agency has outlined his priorities for the next several years, ranging from improving relations with the European Union to increasing commercialization activities.
ESA, CNSA heads discuss future space plans
The heads of the European Space Agency and China National Space Administration held a video call April 1 to outline respective plans for the coming years.
ESA awards €10.45 million to two UK launch startups
The pair of contracts for Orbex and Skyrora were awarded under Boost!, an ESA program that aims to foster new commercial space transportation services.
‘Parastronaut’ sought as ESA recruits its first new astronauts in more than a decade
The European Space Agency announced Feb. 16 that its first call for new astronauts in more than a decade will be open to candidates with physical disabilities.
Airbus awarded €650 million contract to build three more Orion service modules
The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a €650 million ($790 million) contract with Airbus Space and Defence to produce three more service modules for NASA's Orion crewed spacecraft.
ESA and EU mend relations
After fraying relations in recent years, officials with the European Union and European Space Agency say they’re committed to rebuilding a more cooperative relationship on space programs.
Airbus, Thales win second-generation Galileo satellite contracts
The European Commission announced Jan. 20 it will award contracts to Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build an initial set of next-generation Galileo navigation satellites, shutting out incumbent manufacturer OHB.
ESA director general to retire early
The outgoing director general of the European Space agency announced Jan. 8 that he will step down at the end of February, four months ahead of schedule.
Thales Alenia Space given €296 million contract to build European Gateway module
JOHANNESBURG — The European Space Agency (ESA) signed a nearly €296 million ($362 million) contract with Thales Alenia Space Jan. 7 to build a European module for NASA’s lunar Gateway space station.
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Brexit deal allows UK to continue participation in Copernicus
An agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union will allow the UK to remain in the Copernicus Earth observation program after it formally exits the EU.
ESA Clean Space tackles space junk one component at a time
The European Space Agency’s Clean Space initiative is assisting in the development of satellite components that are designed for demise, an approach to satellite development that advocates for the safe disposal of spacecraft by destructive atmospheric reentry.
Investigation confirms improperly connected cables caused Vega launch failure
An independent investigation of a Vega launch failure in November confirmed that misconnected cables in the rocket’s upper stage doomed the mission and made recommendations to allow a return to flight in early 2021.
New ESA director general sees EU relations and commercialization as priorities
The next leader of the European Space Agency says his top priorities are to improve the agency’s relationship with the European Union and support commercial space activities in Europe.
€167 million Space Rider contract funds construction of Europe’s first orbital spaceplane
The European Space Agency has signed a €167 million ($200 million) contract with Thales Alenia Space Italy and Avio to deliver Space Rider — Europe's first robotic orbital spaceplane — in time for a mid-to-late 2023 launch atop an expendable rocket.
ESA signs contract for first space debris removal mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) has finalized an 86 million euro ($104 million) contract with Swiss start-up ClearSpace SA to complete the world's first space debris removal mission.
