ESO Top News
From Lab to Orbit | Turning Space Science into Reality | ESA Explores #21
Go behind the scenes at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and discover how space experiments are prepared long before they reach orbit. Meet the ECOS team, as Deputy Manager Salvi Verma shares how they work with scientists, engineers and astronauts to turn ideas into real missions aboard the International Space Station. From early planning on the ground to supporting astronauts like ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during her Epsilon mission, this is how space science becomes reality.
This interview was recorded in March 2026.
Week in images: 22-26 June 2026
Week in images: 22-26 June 2026
Discover our week through the lens
Earth from Space: Desert cropland
Europe faces the heat
Europe is facing an intense heatwave, with record temperatures and several cities under red alert. On 23 June, France recorded its hottest June day ever.
This image was captured the same day by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite, which measures land surface temperature from space.
Unlike air temperature, land surface temperature shows how hot the ground itself becomes, often much higher as rock and asphalt absorb heat throughout the day.
Sentinel-3 uses thermal sensors to monitor Earth’s land, oceans, ice, and atmosphere, supporting everything from weather response to long-term climate monitoring.
View image: Europe feels the heat beneath our feet
A first: EarthCARE cloud data sharpen weather forecasts
The European Space Agency’s EarthCARE satellite was developed to make a unique set of simultaneous measurements that shed new light on the role that clouds and aerosols play in regulating Earth’s climate.
Now, in a remarkable example of a research mission delivering direct practical benefits, global observations from the satellite’s cloud profiling radar are being used operationally by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts to improve daily weather forecasts – this landmark achievement marks the first time that cloud radar data from space have been assimilated into a global weather forecasting system.
Paxi and the European Space Agency
English: Paxi and the European Space Agency
Did you know that space affects your life every single day? Join Paxi to discover all the ways the European Space Agency (ESA) makes life on Earth better every day and explores space, from the satellites above your head to missions looking deep into the universe. Paxi also shares ways you can be a part of Europe's space team.
Greek: Ο Πάξι και ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος
Γνωρίζατε ότι το διάστημα επηρεάζει τη ζωή σας κάθε μέρα; Γίνετε μέλος του Paxi για να ανακαλύψετε όλους τους τρόπους με τους οποίους ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Διαστήματος (ESA) βελτιώνει την καθημερινή ζωή στη Γη και εξερευνά το διάστημα, από τους δορυφόρους πάνω από το κεφάλι σας μέχρι τις αποστολές που κοιτάζουν βαθιά στο σύμπαν. Ο Paxi μοιράζεται επίσης τρόπους με τους οποίους μπορείτε να γίνετε μέλος της διαστημικής ομάδας της Ευρώπης.
German: Paxi und die Europäische Weltraumorganisation
Wusstest du, dass der Weltraum dein Leben jeden einzelnen Tag beeinflusst? Begleite Paxi und entdecke, wie die Europäische Weltraumorganisation (ESA) das Leben auf der Erde jeden Tag verbessert und den Weltraum erforscht – von den Satelliten über deinem Kopf μέχρι hin zu Missionen, die tief ins Universum blicken. Paxi zeigt dir auch, wie du selbst Teil des europäischen Weltraumteams werden kannst.
Spanish: Paxi y la Agencia Espacial Europea
¿Sabías que el espacio afecta a tu vida todos los días? Únete a Paxi για descubrir todas las formas en que la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) mejora la vida en la Tierra cada día y explora el espacio, desde los satélites que vuelan sobre tu cabeza hasta las misiones que profundizan en el universo. Paxi también te cuenta cómo puedes formar parte del equipo espacial de Europa.
Dutch: Paxi en het Europees Ruimteagentschap
Wist je dat de ruimte elke dag invloed heeft op je leven? Ga met Paxi op ontdekkingstocht en zie hoe de Europese Ruimtevaartorganisatie (ESA) het leven op aarde elke dag beter maakt en de ruimte verkent, van de satellieten boven je hoofd tot missies die diep in het heelal kijken. Paxi laat je ook zien hoe jij deel kunt uitmaken van het Europese ruimteteam.
Nowegian: Paxi og Den europeiske romfartsorganisasjon
Visste du at verdensrommet påvirker livet ditt hver eneste dag? Bli med Paxi for å oppdage alle måtene den europeiske romfartsorganisasjonen (ESA) gjør livet på jorden bedre hver dag og utforsker verdensrommet, fra satellittene over hodet ditt til oppdrag som ser dypt inn i universet. Paxi deler også måter du kan bli en del av Europas romteam på.
Estonian: Paxi ja Euroopa Kosmoseagentuur
Kas teadsid, et kosmos mõjutab Sinu elu iga jumala päev? Liitu Paxiga, et avastada kõiki viise, kuidas Euroopa Kosmoseagentuur (ESA) muudab elu Maal iga päev paremaks ja uurib kosmost, alates Sinu pea kohal olevatest satelliitidest kuni missioonideni, mis vaatavad sügavale universumisse. Paxi jagab ka viise, kuidas Sina saad olla osa Euroopa kosmosemeeskonnast.
Portuguese: Paxi e a Agência Espacial Europeia
Sabias que o espaço afeta a tua vida todos os dias? Junta-te ao Paxi para descobrires todas as formas como a Agência Espacial Europeia (ESA) melhora a vida na Terra todos os dias e explora o espaço, desde os satélites acima da tua cabeça até às missões que olham bem fundo no universo. O Paxi também partilha formas de como podes fazer parte da equipa espacial da Europa.
Polish: Paxi i Europejska Agencja Kosmiczna
Czy wiesz, że kosmos ma wpływ na Twoje życie każdego dnia? Dołącz do Paxiego, aby odkryć, na jak wiele sposobów Europejska Agencja Kosmiczna (ESA) każdego dnia ulepsza życie na Ziemi i bada kosmos – od satelitów nad Twoją głową po misje zaglądające w głąb wszechświata. Paxi podpowie Ci również, jak możesz stać się częścią europejskiego zespołu kosmicznego.
Romanian: Paxi și Agenția Spațială Europeană
Știai că spațiul îți influențează viața în fiecare zi? Alătură-te lui Paxi pentru a descoperi toate modurile în care Agenția Spațială Europeană (ESA) face viața pe Pământ mai bună în fiecare zi și explorează spațiul, de la sateliții de deasupra capului tău până la misiunile care privesc adânc în univers. Paxi îți arată, de asemenea, cum poți face parte din echipa spațială a Europei.
Slovenian: Paxi in Evropska vesoljska agencija
Ali ste vedeli, da vesolje vsak dan vpliva na vaše življenje? Pridružite se Paxiju in odkrijte vse načine, kako Evropska vesoljska agencija (ESA) vsak dan izboljšuje življenje na Zemlji in raziskuje vesolje, od satelitov nad vašo glavo do misij, ki gledajo globoko v vesolje. Paxi deli tudi načine, kako lahko postanete del evropske vesoljske ekipe.
Hungarian: A Paxi és az Európai Űrügynökség
Tudtad, hogy az űr minden egyes nap hatással van az életedre? Tarts Paxival, és fedezd fel, mi mindennel teszi jobbá az Európai Űrügynökség (ESA) a földi életet nap mint nap, és hogyan kutatja a világűrt a fejed felett elhaladó műholdaktól kezdve egészen az univerzum mélyét fürkésző missziókig. Paxi azt is megmutatja, hogyan válhatsz te is Európa űrcsapatának tagjává.
Czech: Paxi a Evropská kosmická agentura
Věděli jste, že vesmír ovlivňuje váš život každý den? Připojte se k Paximu a zjistěte, jakými všemi způsoby Evropská vesmírná agentura (ESA) každodenně zlepšuje život na Zemi a zkoumá vesmír – od družic nad vašimi hlavami až po mise nahlížející hluboko do vesmíru. Paxi vám také ukáže, jak se můžete stát součástí evropského vesmírného týmu.
Finnish: Paxi ja Euroopan avaruusjärjestö
Tiesitkö, että avaruus vaikuttaa elämääsi joka ikinen päivä? Lähde Paxin mukaan ottamaan selvää kaikista niistä tavoista, joilla Euroopan avaruusjärjestö (ESA) parantaa elämää maapallolla päivittäin ja tutkii avaruutta – aina pääsi yläpuolella olevista satelliiteista aina maailmankaikkeuden syvyyksiin katsoviin tutkimusretkiin. Paxi kertoo myös, miten sinä voit tulla osaksi Euroopan avaruustiimiä.
Danish: Paxi og Den Europæiske Rumorganisation
Vidste du, at rummet påvirker dit liv hver eneste dag? Tag med Paxi for at opdage alle de måder, hvorpå Den Europæiske Rumorganisation (ESA) gør livet på Jorden bedre hver dag og udforsker rummet, lige fra satellitterne over dit hoved til missioner, der kigger dybt ind i universet. Paxi fortæller også, hvordan du kan blive en del af Europas rumteam.
Swedish: Paxi och den Europeiska rymdorganisationen
Visste du att rymden påverkar ditt liv varje dag? Följ med Paxi för att upptäcka alla sätt som Europeiska rymdorganisationen (ESA) gör livet på jorden bättre varje dag och utforskar rymden, från satelliterna ovanför ditt huvud till uppdrag som blickar djupt in i universum. Paxi berättar också hur du kan bli en del av Europas rymdteam.
Italian: Paxi e l’Agenzia Spaziale Europea
Sapevi che lo spazio influenza la tua vita ogni singolo giorno? Unisciti a Paxi per scoprire tutti i modi in care l'Agenzia Spaziale Europea (ESA) rende migliore la vita sulla Terra ogni giorno ed esplora lo spazio, dai satelliti sopra la tua testa alle missioni che guardano nelle profondità dell'universo. Paxi ti spiega anche come puoi entrare a far parte del team spaziale europeo.
French: Paxi et l’Agence spatiale européenne
Saviez-vous que l'espace influence votre vie de tous les jours ? Rejoignez Paxi pour découvrir comment l'Agence spatiale européenne (ESA) améliore le quotidien sur Terre et explore l'espace, des satellites au-dessus de votre tête aux missions qui sondent les profondeurs de l'univers. Paxi vous explique également comment faire partie de l'équipe spatiale européenne.
Webb finds clues to ancient origin of Comet 3I/ATLAS
The third identified interstellar comet in human history has a surprising chemical makeup, raising questions as to how common, or unusual, conditions in our own Solar System may be.
ESA Open Days 2026 are coming: mark your calendar!
The ESA Open Days season is almost here and our teams across our establishments in Europe are already gearing up, preparing to give thousands of visitors a truly special experience.
The Voice in Orbit | Talking to Astronauts in Space | ESA Explores #20
Meet the voices astronauts hear in space. At ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, the EUROCOM team is the link between crew and ground, guiding astronauts like ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot through their daily work on the International Space Station. Join us as EUROCOM expert Andreas Orth explains how complex operations are translated into clear, real-time communication and what it means to be the one voice connecting Earth and orbit.
This interview was recorded in March 2026.
Galileo signal updated for internet-of-things use
In April, Galileo marked a step forward with the deployment of a new signal component, known as E5a Quasi Pilot, on 12 satellites of Europe’s satellite navigation constellation. This upgrade makes Galileo signals easier to access, particularly on emerging mass-market, low-power devices used for Internet of Things and smart city applications.
Week in images: 15-19 June 2026
Week in images: 15-19 June 2026
Discover our week through the lens
Earth from Space celebrates 1000 images
Sophie Adenot's mid-mission highlights
Sophie is halfway through the εpsilon mission onboard the ISS, and she has already accomplished so much. Between hundreds of hours of scientific research and thousands of photographs taken from space, she has taken the time to share many unforgettable moments with us — inspiring millions along the way on social media.
347th ESA Council: Media information session
Watch the replay of the media information session where ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and outgoing ESA Council Chair Renato Krpoun provide an update on the main outcomes of the 347th ESA Council meeting, held at ESA Headquarters in Paris on 16–17 June 2026.
First Ariane 6 liftoff with most powerful boosters
On the 17th of June Ariane 6 flight VA269 soared to orbit from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The latest generation of Europe's largest and most powerful rocket launched 36 satellites for Amazon's Leo constellation.
The debut of the four new boosters based on the P160C solid-propellant rocket motor allowed 36 satellites to be launched, four more than the two Leo launches Ariane 6 had delivered before.
Ariane 6 is Europe’s heavy-lift launcher and a key element of ESA’s efforts to ensure autonomous access to space for Europe’s citizens. The new P160C boosters increase considerably performance, payload capacity and competitiveness, allowing for more satellites to be launched, further elevating the future of Europe.
