Latest Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite imagery from 26 July shows some encouraging signs around the Cebreros ground station, where wildfire activity has subsided.
Josef Aschbacher
@josefaschbacher.esa.int
The Director General of the European Space Agency
My teams have completed all necessary checks and testing of the Cebreros station. After careful review, we have declared the antenna GREEN for nominal operations as of 27 July.
Josef Aschbacher@josefaschbacher.esa.int · 2w agoBased on current information, the Cebreros station appears to have remained unharmed. My deepest thanks go to the Spanish emergency services whose efforts helped protect the site as wildfires approached. Left: 24 July 19:57, Right: 25 July 07:54
Based on current information, the Cebreros station appears to have remained unharmed. My deepest thanks go to the Spanish emergency services whose efforts helped protect the site as wildfires approached. Left: 24 July 19:57, Right: 25 July 07:54
Poland’s success is Europe’s success. A landmark day in Warsaw: @esa.int announced its first centre outside the founding Member States. This new Space Centre will boost innovation, research, industry and security—strengthening Poland’s space sector and Europe’s future.
A Union Flag that travelled to space and back. Presented HM King Charles III with the flag that flew to the International Space Station and returned to Earth Space investment drives science, jobs, technology and sustainability Proud to see @esa.int helping power Harwell's thriving space ecosystem
The future of space exploration was at the core of our meeting with @astrolucasalvo.bsky.social and @adolfo_urso in Rome. With @esa.int at the heart of #Artemis, I’m proud that Luca is the European astronaut assigned to #ArtemisIII The next giant leap will have an even stronger European heartbeat.
40 years ago, European countries made a bold choice: to work together so every citizen could benefit from better weather forecasts and climate monitoring. As Europe faces another intense heatwave, that choice has never mattered more. Happy 40th anniversary, @eumetsat.int
EUMETSAT@eumetsat.int · 2mo ago🎉 OTD in 1986, representatives from 16 European nations met at ESA Headquarters in Paris and decided to establish EUMETSAT. AKA, it's our birthday! 🥳 Take a journey through 4️⃣0️⃣ years of innovation, cooperation & EO in our new interactive timeline: bit.ly/3SBkxil More #EUMETSAT40 updates to come!
Artemis III will push the boundaries of spacecraft operations in orbit. ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano’s assignment as pilot reflects the depth of European expertise in human spaceflight and draws on his extensive operational experience in high-pressure situations.
European Space Agency@esa.int · 2mo agoOur astronaut Luca Parmitano is assigned as pilot of NASA’s #ArtemisIII mission. With Europe powering Orion with the European Service Module, this mission will test the critical operations preparing for humankind's return to the Moon. A strong step forward for ESA–NASA partnership. 📸 NASA
Today, ESA’s SMILE mission lifted off on a Vega-C and on a unique scientific journey: to observe and understand Earth’s magnetic shield and how it interacts with the solar wind. www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
Smile lifts off on quest to reveal Earth’s invisible shield against the solar wind
The Smile spacecraft lifted off on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 04:52 BST / 05:52 CEST (00:52 local time) on 19 May 2026. The launch marks the beginning of an ambitious ...
esa.int
Recent changes to the Artemis architecture signal a rapidly shifting landscape in human space exploration, underscoring a broader reality: Europe has become too exposed to decisions beyond its control. Read my latest article: www.linkedin.com/pulse/we-pil...
ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are moving from intention to implementation, translating commitment into mission‑level cooperation. This partnership builds on trust, technical excellence and a shared determination to protect our planet.
European Space Agency@esa.int · 3mo agoA new chapter in the ESA—JAXA cooperation on planetary defence. 🌍 The agreement signed this week confirms collaboration on #Ramses, our mission to asteroid Apophis ahead of its rare 2029 flyby. Space safety is a priority. 🔗 www.esa.int/Space_Safety... @josefaschbacher.esa.int @operations.esa.int
Following the mandate given by our Member States to step up ESA’s role in security and defence, this agreement marks a meaningful move from intent to delivery. Through initiatives such as the European Resilience from Space (ERS), ESA is already responding to Europe’s urgent security capability needs
European Space Agency@esa.int · 3mo agoThe European Defence Agency and @esa.int have launched a joint study to strengthen Europe’s Earth observation capabilities and develop a long-term roadmap in support of security and defence. www.esa.int/Newsroom/Pre... @esaearth.esa.int @josefaschbacher.esa.int
With this agreement ESA and Canada are together unlocking new opportunities to advance critical technologies, strengthen our industrial ecosystems and reinforce our collective capabilities. www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
ESA and Canada sign agreement on the exchange of classified information
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Canada have signed a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA), which will establish a legally binding framework for the exchange of classified information.
esa.int
HydRON, Europe's laser network in space, is moving ahead ⚡➡️ Kepler Communications was awarded the contract to lead HydRON’s evolution. They will ensure the optical communications system works across different technologies and companies, like one phone running many apps. 📱
Them: Tell me Europe is mission-critical to bringing humanity back to the Moon without telling me Europe is mission-critical to bringing humanity back to the Moon. Me:
✅ #Artemis II update: Flight Day 3, the Artemis crew are now closer to the Moon than they are to Earth. Their lunar journey powered by our European Service Module continues. Image at nasa.gov/image-detail... @exploration.esa.int
For the first time in more than half a century, humanity is reaching beyond Earth once again – not just to return to the Moon, but to redefine what is possible together. www.esa.int/Science_Expl... #Artemis
It’s no surprise that one of the most defining memories of my childhood is the Apollo 11 Moon landing. I was just a little kid. I can still place myself there: lying in the steep field behind my family’s farmhouse in Tyrol, a wide-eyed child staring up at the night sky in disbelief and wonder.
You’re gonna want to turn the sound on for this one 🔊 Europe’s contribution to #Artemis is powerful, precise, and built for deep space. With the European Service Module powering Orion, Europe isn’t just watching history unfold. It’s creating it. Delivered by ESA, built by Europeans. L-12 🚀
⏱️Under 48 hours to Artemis II A big moment for human exploration and for Europe’s role in returning to the Moon. At the ❤️ of Orion is the European Service Module: delivered by ESA and built by 10 Member States across Europe. The 🌑 is not a short term endeavour. Europe is in it for the long run.
Celeste is in orbit!🚀 ESA’s first two #Celeste demo satellites have successfully launched on RocketLab’s Electron from New Zealand, starting tests of a complementary #LEO layer for #Galileo to boost resilience and unlock new PNT services. www.esa.int/Newsroom/Pre...
Council has elected Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido from Spain as the new ESA Council Chair, with Tanja Permozer from Slovenia and Kimmo Kanto from Finland as Vice-Chairs, taking up duty on 1 July 2026. Congratulations and thank you all for your dedication to bring the benefits of space to Europeans.
On the margins of ESA Council this week, I formally marked the start of Cyprus’ Associate Membership, opening the way for Cyprus to participate in ESA optional programmes. Welcome to the family!
European Space Agency@esa.int · 5mo agoWelcome Cyprus, our new Associate Member. 🇨🇾 👋 🔗 www.esa.int/Newsroom/Pre...
#WatchLive: Join us on 19 March at 13:00 GMT/14:00 CET for a media briefing following the 345th ESA Council meeting taking place in Interlaken, Switzerland. 📺 watch.esa.int
We are in Interlaken this morning to meet with ESA Member States and workshop ways to streamline, simplify, accelerate and optimise the way @esa.int works with its Member States. Tomorrow we start ESA Council #345 - spread over two days.
🚀 Meet ESA’s newest female leaders: With women now making up 37% of new recruits and 27% of top management, ESA continues advancing gender balance in the sector. 🔗 esa.int/About_Us/Diversity_and_Inclusiveness/Meet_ESA_s_newest_female_leadership
The precision of Hubble with the expansive vision of Euclid has got me stopping in my tracks this morning. Amazing! www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
SPACECRAFT WITH SUPERPOWERS? Yes please. www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Self-repairing spacecraft could change future missions
esa.int
🥇 A world first ✈️🛰️ @esa.int has achieved a significant milestone in secure global connectivity: the world’s first gigabit-per-second laser link between an aircraft and a geostationary satellite. www.esa.int/Applications...
World-first gigabit-per-second laser link between aircraft and geostationary satellite
Faster, more secure connections from space could one day make broadband on planes, ships and even remote roads as easy as turning on a light. The European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus Defence and Space,...
esa.int
ESA Director @josefaschbacher.esa.int's recent tour of the O&C Building at KSC offered us a glimpse at the progress on both Artemis III and Artemis IVs service modules, and the growing production line of hardware for future Artemis missions. 📸NASA/Kim Shiflett
