Week in images: 15-19 August 2022
Discover our week through the lens
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Week_in_images/Week_in_images_15-19_August_2022
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Introducing Huginn
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen of Denmark is set to return to the International Space Station for his first long-duration Station mission. With only one year left before his launch in mid-2023, a name for the mission has been chosen: Huginn.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Introducing_Huginn
Image: A special Moon snapArt for Artemis exhibition opening soon
See all 22 artworks submitted for the Art for Artemis project on display at the Waterfront in Bremen, Germany. The formal opening of the exhibition is on 22 August at 17:00 CEST with ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter and will be open to the public throughout the Artemis I mission to the Moon and back.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion/Art_for_Artemis_exhibition_opening_soon
Heatwaves and climate change
Video: 00:02:50 The series of heatwaves we are currently experiencing in western Europe is a clear sign of human-induced global warming. ESA’s Clement Albergel explains how we monitor these events using satellites such as the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission and puts them in the context of the long-term climate data record generated via ESA’s Climate Change Initiative.
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2022/08/Heatwaves_and_climate_change
Rhine river runs dry
Image: Water levels on the Rhine River have continued to drop owing to soaring temperatures and lack of rainfall - preventing many vessels from navigating through the river's waters at full capacity. These Copernicus Sentinel-2 images show the stark difference between August 2021 and August 2022.https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/08/Rhine_river_runs_dry
Software-defined satellite enters commercial service
Europe’s first commercial satellite capable of being completely reprogrammed while in space is now in commercial use.
https://one.esa.int/Applications/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/Software-defined_satellite_enters_commercial_service
Video: 00:03:26 Gaia reveals the past and future of the Sun
We all wish that we could sometimes see into the future. Now, thanks to the very latest data from ESA’s star mapping Gaia mission, astronomers can do just that for the Sun. By accurately identifying stars of similar mass and composition, they can see how our Sun is going to evolve in the future. And this work extends far beyond a little astrophysical clairvoyance.
https://one.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Gaia/Gaia_reveals_the_past_and_future_of_the_Sun
Tracking marine plastic drift from space
Every 60 seconds the equivalent of a lorry-load of plastic enters the global ocean. Where does it end up? Right now, researchers simply don’t know. But in a bid to help find out, an ESA-led project developed floating transmitters whose passage can be tracked over time, helping in turn to guide a sophisticated software model of marine plastic litter accumulation.
https://one.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Tracking_marine_plastic_drift_from_space
Pure gold pin for space testing
Image: Pure gold pin for space testinghttps://one.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/07/Pure_gold_pin_for_space_testing
Software-defined satellite enters commercial service
Europe’s first commercial satellite capable of being completely reprogrammed while in space is now in commercial use.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications/Software-defined_satellite_enters_commercial_service
Week in images: 08-12 August 2022
Discover our week through the lens
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Week_in_images/Week_in_images_08-12_August_2022
Video: 00:03:26 Gaia reveals the past and future of the Sun
We all wish that we could sometimes see into the future. Now, thanks to the very latest data from ESA’s star mapping Gaia mission, astronomers can do just that for the Sun. By accurately identifying stars of similar mass and composition, they can see how our Sun is going to evolve in the future. And this work extends far beyond a little astrophysical clairvoyance.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Gaia/Gaia_reveals_the_past_and_future_of_the_Sun
Tracking marine plastic drift from space
Every 60 seconds the equivalent of a lorry-load of plastic enters the global ocean. Where does it end up? Right now, researchers simply don’t know. But in a bid to help find out, an ESA-led project developed floating transmitters whose passage can be tracked over time, helping in turn to guide a sophisticated software model of marine plastic litter accumulation.
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Tracking_marine_plastic_drift_from_space
100 days of Minerva
ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was launched to the International Space Station on 27 April as a part of Crew-4 for her second mission, Minerva. One hundred days in, mission Minerva is still going strong. From completing cutting-edge research in the world’s only orbiting laboratory to sharing daily life on the Space Station via TikTok, it’s all in a day’s work for an ESA astronaut.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Minerva/100_days_of_Minerva
Week in images: 01-05 August 2022
Discover our week through the lens
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Week_in_images/Week_in_images_01-05_August_2022
Pure gold pin for space testing
Image: Pure gold pin for space testinghttps://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/07/Pure_gold_pin_for_space_testing
Video: 00:03:00 Mission ends for Copernicus Sentinel-1B satellite
On 23 December 2021, Copernicus Sentinel-1B experienced an anomaly related to the instrument electronics power supply provided by the satellite platform, leaving it unable to deliver radar data. Since then spacecraft operators and engineers have been working tirelessly to rectify the issue. Unfortunately, despite all concerted efforts, ESA and the European Commission announce that it is the end of the mission for Sentinel-1B. Copernicus Sentinel-1A remains fully operational and plans are in force to launch Sentinel-1C as soon as possible.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Mission_ends_for_Copernicus_Sentinel-1B_satellite
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Webb captures stellar gymnastics in the Cartwheel Galaxy
The Cartwheel Galaxy, a rare ring galaxy once shrouded in dust and mystery, has been unveiled by the imaging capabilities of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. The galaxy, which formed as a result of a collision between a large spiral galaxy and another smaller galaxy, not only retained a lot of its spiral character, but has also experienced massive changes throughout its structure. Webb’s high-precision instruments resolved individual stars and star-forming regions within the Cartwheel, and revealed the behaviour of the black hole within its galactic centre. These new details provide a renewed understanding of a galaxy in the midst of a slow transformation.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Webb/Webb_captures_stellar_gymnastics_in_the_Cartwheel_Galaxy
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ESA names first ‘astronaut’ to fly on the Artemis I lunar mission
The specially trained woolly astronaut, Shaun the Sheep, has been assigned a seat on the Artemis I mission to the Moon. Shaun’s assignment was announced by ESA’s Director for Human and Robotic Exploration Dr David Parker.
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_names_first_astronaut_to_fly_on_the_Artemis_I_lunar_mission
Utah’s Great Salt Lake is disappearing
Utah’s Great Salt Lake dropped to its lowest recorded water level last month as a megadrought persists across the US southwest, forcing the fast-growing city to curb its water use. From space, satellite images show how water levels have fallen from 1985 to 2022 – exposing large expanses of lakebed.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Utah_s_Great_Salt_Lake_is_disappearing
Operation centres in tune for upcoming weather satellite
In just a few months’ time Europe’s first Meteosat Third Generation satellite will soar into the skies on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana. From geostationary orbit, this new satellite, carrying two new highly sensitive instruments, will take weather forecasting to the next level. Taking a significant step towards launch, the satellite operations teams at two different centres have completed an all-important suite of tests ensuring that their procedures are fully compatible with the satellite.
https://one.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/meteosat_third_generation/Operation_centres_in_tune_for_upcoming_weather_satellite
Readying spacecraft to surf Venus’ atmosphere
ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus will perform optical, spectral and radar mapping of Earth’s sister planet. But before getting down to work the van-sized spacecraft needs to ‘aerobrake’ – lowering its orbit with thousands of passages through the planet’s hot, thick atmosphere for up to two years. A unique ESA facility is currently testing candidate spacecraft materials to check they can safely withstand this challenging process of atmospheric surfing.
https://one.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Readying_spacecraft_to_surf_Venus_atmosphere
A spacewalk full of firsts
Image: A spacewalk full of firstshttps://one.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/07/A_spacewalk_full_of_firsts
Image: EarthCARE taking wingTap into Europe in motion
Any movement beneath our feet – from barely perceptible subsidence to the sudden appearance of a sinkhole or a crashing landslide – spells big trouble. Even relatively modest subsidence can weaken buildings and infrastructure and lead to issues such as flooding, and at worst the abrupt disappearance of sections of land brings immediate threat to life. Monitoring and predicting our shifting land is clearly essential for adopting mitigating strategies.
And now, thanks to Europe’s environmental Copernicus programme and the Sentinel-1 radar satellite mission, the first Europe-wide subsidence and soil movement analysis service is available to the public.
https://one.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Tap_into_Europe_in_motion
ESA showcases its space ambition at Farnborough airshow
ESA’s efforts to ensure European citizens reap the benefits of space have been highlighted at a global aerospace event held in the UK.
https://one.esa.int/About_Us/Exhibitions/ESA_showcases_its_space_ambition_at_Farnborough_airshow
Week in images: 25-29 July 2022
Discover our week through the lens
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Week_in_images/Week_in_images_25-29_July_2022
Operation centres in tune for upcoming weather satellite
In just a few months’ time Europe’s first Meteosat Third Generation satellite will soar into the skies on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana. From geostationary orbit, this new satellite, carrying two new highly sensitive instruments, will take weather forecasting to the next level. Taking a significant step towards launch, the satellite operations teams at two different centres have completed an all-important suite of tests ensuring that their procedures are fully compatible with the satellite.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Meteorological_missions/meteosat_third_generation/Operation_centres_in_tune_for_upcoming_weather_satellite
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Readying spacecraft to surf Venus’ atmosphere
ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus will perform optical, spectral and radar mapping of Earth’s sister planet. But before getting down to work the van-sized spacecraft needs to ‘aerobrake’ – lowering its orbit with thousands of passages through the planet’s hot, thick atmosphere for up to two years. A unique ESA facility is currently testing candidate spacecraft materials to check they can safely withstand this challenging process of atmospheric surfing.
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Readying_spacecraft_to_surf_Venus_atmosphere
Readying spacecraft to surf Venus’ atmosphere
ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus will perform optical, spectral and radar mapping of Earth’s sister planet.www.esa.int
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A spacewalk full of firsts
Image: A spacewalk full of firstshttps://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2022/07/A_spacewalk_full_of_firsts
Image: EarthCARE taking wingTap into Europe in motion
Any movement beneath our feet – from barely perceptible subsidence to the sudden appearance of a sinkhole or a crashing landslide – spells big trouble. Even relatively modest subsidence can weaken buildings and infrastructure and lead to issues such as flooding, and at worst the abrupt disappearance of sections of land brings immediate threat to life. Monitoring and predicting our shifting land is clearly essential for adopting mitigating strategies.
And now, thanks to Europe’s environmental Copernicus programme and the Sentinel-1 radar satellite mission, the first Europe-wide subsidence and soil movement analysis service is available to the public.
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Tap_into_Europe_in_motion
2 people like this
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