ESA
ExoMars official says launch unlikely before 2028
A key official for Europe’s ExoMars mission believes that the rover’s launch will be pushed back until at least 2028 to accommodate changes after ending cooperation with Russia.
ESA ends cooperation with Russia on lunar missions
ESA announced April 13 it was further cutting ties with Russia by dropping plans to cooperate on a series of lunar missions, turning instead to NASA and other agencies.
Vega C to launch Sentinel-1C in 2023
The European Space Agency will launch its Sentinel-1C radar imaging satellite on a Vega C rocket in 2023 as the agency continues to study potential impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on that launch vehicle.
ESA continues talks with NASA on ExoMars cooperation
The European Space Agency is continuing discussions with NASA on how the agencies can work together to revive ESA’s ExoMars mission after ending cooperation with Russia.
Rogozin delays decision on space station future
After Western nations refused his demand to end sanctions on Russian companies involved in the International Space Station, the head of Roscosmos said he will make recommendations in the “near future” on Russia’s continued participation in the station, but there are no signs of any near-term changes in station operations.
China to launch Einstein Probe in 2023 to observe violent cosmic events
A Chinese wide-field x-ray space observatory has passed a major review and is expected to launch next year to detect flashes from cataclysmic cosmic events.
NASA to delay Mars Sample Return, switch to dual-lander approach
NASA plans to delay the next phase of its Mars Sample Return campaign and split a lander mission into two separate spacecraft to reduce the overall risk of the program.
Hope fading for recovery of European radar imaging satellite
ESA officials said prospects are dimming for the recovery of a radar imaging satellite that malfunctioned nearly three months ago, but that efforts to save the spacecraft continue.
ESA weighs options for replacing Soyuz launches
The European Space Agency is looking at options for launching missions that were to fly on Russia’s Soyuz rocket, including both non-European rockets and early use of the Ariane 6.
ESA suspends work with Russia on ExoMars mission
ESA has formally halted plans to launch its ExoMars mission on a Russian rocket in September in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
ESA says it’s “very unlikely” ExoMars will launch this year
The European Space Agency said Feb. 28 that it is “very unlikely” that its ExoMars mission will launch this September because of sanctions on Russia from its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia halts Soyuz launches from French Guiana
Roscosmos announced Feb. 26 that it is halting cooperation with Europe on Soyuz launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its personnel from the launch site in response to European sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
ESA to continue cooperation but monitoring situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
ESA is continuing work on the International Space Station and ExoMars programs in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but monitoring the situation, the agency’s director-general said Friday.
ISS transition to commercial stations poses challenges for partners
NASA’s plans to shift from the International Space Station to commercial space stations may force one key partner to rethink how it cooperates in low Earth orbit.
U.S. and Europe say space cooperation with Russia not affected yet by Ukraine crisis
American and European officials said Feb. 23 that space cooperation with Russia remains unaffected even as that country continues to threaten a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
ESA to set up committee to study human space exploration options
The European Space Agency will establish a committee with representatives from both inside and outside the space industry to develop options for a European human space exploration program.
Europe launches fund to invest in space startups
The European Commission is rolling out a new program to offer investment for European startups to keep those companies on the continent.
ExoMars on schedule for September launch
After missing its initial launch window in 2020 in part because of the pandemic, the European Space Agency’s ExoMars mission is on schedule for a launch in September.
ESA looks to space summit to endorse human spaceflight efforts
The head of the European Space Agency says he hopes an upcoming space summit provides a political endorsement for major European space initiatives, including a human space exploration program.
ESA considering moving up radar satellite launch after Sentinel-1B malfunction
The European Space Agency is considering accelerating the launch of a new Earth science satellite after an existing one malfunctioned last month and remains out of service.
