ESA transfers ownership of satellite ground tracking stations

The European Space Agency (ESA) transferred the ownership of three satellite ground tracking stations to national organisations in Spain and Portugal.

ESA extends its family with Cyprus and Slovenia

On the 6th of July 2016, Cyprus became the 11th country to sign the European Cooperating State (ECS) Agreement, strengthening its relations with ESA. One day before, on the 5^th of July, Slovenia signed an Association Agreement with ESA. 

ISS: Developments in the US and worldwide

US Congress passed a bill, which, among others, provides for the extension of US operations in the International Space Station (ISS) until 2024 and introduces the notion of “governmental astronaut”. At the same time, NASA administrator complained to Congress that NASA underfunding made the new deal with Roscosmos on carrying US astronauts with Russian vehicles necessary. New EASA Chief envisages new ISS partners and Bigelow Aerospace attaches its experimental module.

Galileo is back on track - On Friday 27, the launch of satellites 7 and 8

Last week, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that two more satellites for Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation will be launched on 27 March 2015. Galileo satellites 7 and 8 are scheduled to lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on top of a Soyuz rocket and they are expected to become operational by mid-2015. This launch, scheduled for late last year, was delayed due to the Soyuz launch anomaly of Galileo satellites 5 and 6 which took place in August 2014.

Copernicus, latest developments on the EU programme observing the earth

Copernicus is the EU Earth Observation and Monitoring System and constitutes a key contribution to the Union’s 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It is a civil, independent, user- driven programme, aiming to provide accurate and reliable information in the field of the environment and security, on a full, open and free-of charge basis. 

European Ministers adopt Resolutions critical for ESA's future space agenda

Yesterday, ESA concluded a successful Council meeting at Ministerial Level in Luxembourg. Ministers in charge of space activities, from ESA’s 20 member states and Canada, took decisions expected to shape ESA’s future. The main topics under discussion were reflected in three Resolutions: on Europe’s access to space, on Europe’s space exploration strategy and on ESA evolution.

Independent Enquiry Board announces causes for failed Galileo Launch

Last week, the Independent Inquiry Board (“the Board”), entrusted with the task to examine the exact causes that led to the orbital injection anomaly of Galileo satellites 5 and 6 on August 22, announced its definite conclusions. The Board reported that the anomaly occurred during the flight of the launcher’s fourth stage, the Fregat. Its main cause was a deficiency in the system thermal analysis performed during the design stage.