Modern society is growing ever-more reliant on services and data delivered via space. Cyber threats and disruptions to satellites are increasingly dangerous to citizens and economies, and it is vital to protect them and the crucial work they do. This is why ESA is supporting Swiss-based security firm Cysec in organising Europe’s first live cybersecurity demonstration for space systems. The demonstration will highlight the challenges in making space systems cybersecurity resilient vs modern hacking techniques and capabilities.
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Preview 2022
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As always, a new year brings new and exciting missions and launches for ESA. In science the world looks forward to the first image releases of the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope and the third data release for Gaia, both teaching us more about our galaxy and Universe. ESA’s new Mars rover will be launched with the ExoMars mission, and we will also see the maiden flight of Vega-C and the Artemis I flight. Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will return to the ISS for her second mission and a new class of astronauts will be presented to the world. After the groundwork has been laid in 2021, a new Ministerial Council Meeting will gather to look at the future of ESA, and the need for ESA and Europe to accelerate space and integrated space technology into the fabric of our lives.
Ride into space on Vega-C secured for FLEX and Altius
A contract signed with Arianespace secures the joint launch for two satellites that will further knowledge of our home planet. Scheduled to lift off on a new class of rocket, ESA’s Vega-C, from Europe’s Spaceport in mid-2025, FLEX will yield new information about the health of the world’s plants and Altius will deliver profiles of ozone and other trace gases in the upper atmosphere to support services such as weather forecasting.
What is the Arecibo Message?
On November 16th, 1974, a coded radio message was broadcast from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. The message contained information on mathematics, humanity, the Solar System, DNA, and the Observatory itself. The destination for this message was Messier 13 (NGC 6205 or “The Great Hercules Cluster”), a globular star cluster located about 25,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Hercules.
The Early Earth was Really Horrible for Life
Earth has had a long and complex history since its formation roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Initially, it was a molten ball, but eventually, it cooled and became differentiated. The Moon formed from a collision between Earth and a protoplanet named Theia (probably), the oceans formed, and at some point in time, about 4 billion years ago, simple life appeared.
SpaceX Tests its Starship-Catching Launch Tower
If you thought landing a used rocket booster on a barge or a landing pad was crazy idea, take a look at how SpaceX plans to land the big Starship rocket.
The Flames of Orion and a Supergiant Star's End
Astronomers watch starbirth and stardeath, capturing a unique view of a stellar nursery and witnessing a supergiant's supernova.
The Comet on Oak Hill
In the hills of northern Calirfornia, a 10-year-old boy discovered a comet's tail — and a lifelong passion for stargazing.
Astronomers relieved with final Webb telescope deployment milestone
Artist’s illustration of the fully deployed James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: NASA
Still cruising toward its operating orbit nearly a million miles from Earth, the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope completed a transformation into its final dimension Saturday with the last of some 50 post-launch deployments, the unfolding of the observatory’s 21.3-foot (6.5-meter) primary mirror.
Should Disney reboot Alien vs. Predator?
A reboot of Alien vs. Predator, one of the most profitable transmedia sci-fi crossovers ever, might just be the next big film that Disney is looking for.
Stars might be forming much faster than expected, new study suggests
Stars might be born much faster than previously expected, a new study using China's radio super telescope revealed.
Juno solves mystery of what drives Jupiter's polar cyclones
Giant cyclones around the poles of the solar system's largest planet are generated by the same forces that move water in Earth's oceans, a new study has found.
James Webb Space Telescope should have fuel for about 20 years of science
A precise launch and pinpoint mid-course corrections so far have the telescope ready with plenty of propellant.
Best Marvel movies, ranked
What do you think the best Marvel movies are? Find out if your favorites made it into our top 11 ranked list.
Kirk vs Picard: Who is the best Star Trek captain?
The debate surrounding Kirk vs Picard has been raging on since the late 80s, but can we finally settle the dilemma?
Lego Star Wars AT-AT review
While it may be overshadowed by a newer, bigger brother, the Lego Star Wars AT-AT 40th anniversary kit is a brilliant build from start to finish.
Physicists crack unsolvable three-body problem using drunkard's walk
The three-body problem, which has plagued science since the days of Isaac Newton, is closer to being solved, scientists say.
Yes, there is really 'diamond rain' on Uranus and Neptune
Hiding beneath the outer layers of some planets, there may be something spectacular: a constant rain of diamonds.
NASA's new astronaut candidates report to Houston to begin training
NASA's 10 new astronaut candidates are reporting to work to begin two years of basic training. The four women and six men are embarking on new careers to be space station and Artemis crew members.
Cheops reveals a rugby ball-shaped exoplanet
ESA’s exoplanet mission Cheops has revealed that an exoplanet orbiting its host star within a day has a deformed shape more like that of a rugby ball than a sphere. This is the first time that the deformation of an exoplanet has been detected, offering new insights into the internal structure of these star-hugging planets.
Now we Know why Spaceflight Affects Your Eyes
70% of astronauts who spend time on the International Space Station (ISS) experience swelling at the back of their eyes, causing blurriness and impaired eyesight both in space and when they return to Earth. Sometimes, it’s permanent. Understanding the way microgravity affects the eyes, and the human body as a whole is an essential part of preparations for future long-duration spaceflights to the Moon and Mars. In an effort to understand the cause of these eye problems, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina used MRI scans of twelve ISS astronauts to measure the intracranial venous system (veins that circulate blood to the brain) before and after flight. They’ve determined that there is a strong connection between the swelling of these veins and the onset of eye trouble.
