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exploration.esa.int
Sharing news on Europe's human and robotic exploration, from astronaut training to the next giant leap to the Moon and Mars.
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NASA, Axiom Space and SpaceX are reviewing launch opportunities no earlier than Thursday, 19 June, for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.

submitted 3 days ago • 6 comments

What would your space comfort food be? 🧑‍🍳 @esa.int astronaut Raphaël Liégois is bringing two Belgian classics — endives with ham gratin and Liège-style meatballs — for a taste of home in microgravity 🇧🇪 More on his bonus food for the International Space Station 👉 esa.int/Science_Expl... @belspo.be

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

NASA and Axiom Space delay Axiom Mission 4 launch to the International Space Station. @exploration.esa.int

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

📢 Please have your boarding pass ready. 📍 Destination: the International Space Station. 🎫 @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski received a symbolic SpaceX ticket to orbit while we wait for a new launch date. 🤔 Will he get a window seat? www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

👋 As we await the postponed liftoff of #Ax4, let’s look back at some of the meaningful traditions leading up to launch 🚀 A few days ago, @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski took part in the wave-off — a powerful moment to say goodbye and thank those behind the #Ignis mission ✨

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

🚗 The mission plate challenge returns! 🤔 Try guessing the plate number of the car that will tranport @astro-slawosz.bsky.social and the #Ax4 crew to the launch pad. This pre-launch tradition began in 2020. 👇 Drop your answer in the comments below. 🔥 Go #Ignis!

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

🪩 Can’t wait for lift-off? 🕺 Set the mood with the official #Ignis mission playlist and ride the rhythm with @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski as we count down to launch 🎶🚀 Go #Ax4, go #Ignis! 👨‍🚀🔥 🎧 What would be on your playlist? ▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/5OV...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

#Ax4 launches tomorrow with @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski on board 🧑‍🚀✨ Frank De Winne, International Space Station and Terrae Novae Programme Manager, says #Ignis will be an intense, fast-paced mission — 80 hours of science in just 14 days 🧪🚀

submitted 7 days ago • 2 comments

Just 1️⃣ day to go until our project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski is set to launch aboard #Ax4!🚀 🎧 While you wait, explore his journey to space in two @esa.int Explores podcast episodes: 🎙️ When it all began: www.podbean.com/ew/pb-vzgp3-... 🎙️ Ready for launch: www.podbean.com/ew/pb-2hmqv-...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Tomorrow's launch for @esa.int's project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and the #Ax4 crew has been postponed to Wednesday. Liftoff is now set for 11 June at 12:00 GMT/14:00 CEST (08:00 local time, ET). #Ignis 🔗 www.spacex.com/launches/mis...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

🚀 "I'm looking forward to this last moment where I'm going to hear: 3...2...1... and liftoff," says @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. Tomorrow, he launches to the International Space Station on his first mission with #Ignis. 🎥Catch the journey so far: youtu.be/OtGDSZtC3YI?...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

L-1: One day to launch! 🚀 @astro-slawosz.bsky.social is heading to the International Space Station on #Ax4 for his first mission: #Ignis 🍿 Watch it live on #ESAWebTV and YouTube from 10:15 GMT (12:15 CEST). 📺 How to follow? esa.int/Science_Expl... Go #Ax4, go #Ignis! 🔥🇵🇱

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

🎧 Ready for launch? 🚀 From parabolic flights to space science prep — @esa.int project astronaut @astro-slawosz.bsky.social takes us behind the scenes of his training journey for #Ax4 and the #Ignis mission, set to launch next week 🧑‍🚀 Listen to the full #ESAExplores podcast here: pod.link/1463873320

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

🚀 Teams at the Columbus Control Centre in Germany are getting ready for the launch of @esa.int project astronaut @astro-slawosz.bsky.social next week. Go #Ignis! 🖥️ This centre near Munich monitors European astronauts & experiments 24/7. 📹 @dlr-en.bsky.social www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

A tiny ExoMars capsule rockets off at 4000 km per hour to simulate the aerodynamics of a descent to the Red Planet. This supersonic test happened in the blink of an eye, captured here in slow motion. Shooting for a Mars landing: blogs.esa.int/to-mars-and-... 📸: ISL

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

Our #ESAxCanada🍁 partnership spans decades. Here is a walk down our joint robotic and human exploration lane. 🛞These wheels are made for walking... on Mars! Canada's MDA Space developed the chassis & wheels that keep the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover on the move. 🫶Thanks for rolling along.

submitted 13 days ago • 2 comments

🚀 New launch date for @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and the #Ignis mission to the International Space Station. 📅 10 June 2025 ⏰ 12:22 GMT/14:22 CEST/08:22 EDT (local time at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA). #Ax4

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

🌟 Mars star. Meet @esa.int's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover at @nhm-london.bsky.social and explore one of the biggest questions of our time: Could life exist beyond Earth? 🔴 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

submitted 14 days ago • 3 comments

📣 Everything you need to know about @esa.int's Ignis mission to the International Space Station in one place. 👨‍🚀 Explore the ambitious technology & scientific programme heading to space with Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. 🚀 The #Ignis launch kit is now live: esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/HRE/Ign...

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

📢 Dust, light, action! Setting up the stage for HD transmissions of future Moon landings: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 📸: @esa.int @dlr-en.bsky.social

submitted 19 days ago • 1 comment

#OTD 27 May 2009, @esa.int astronaut Frank de Winne 🇧🇪 was launched to the International Space Station on his #OasISS mission. Frank became the first European commander of an ISS expedition on this six-month flight. 🔗 www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @exploration.esa.int @belspo.be

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

📷 Moon landing videos – from grainy Apollo footage to HD. 📺 The next time astronauts land on the Moon, we will watch it in stunning detail. 👀 An in-depth article for image-hungry people: esa.int/Science_Expl...

submitted 20 days ago • 1 comment

Blade runner 🦿🏃‍♂️ For the first time, @esa.int has tested the performance of a lower limb prosthesis in microgravity. Watch astronaut reserve John McFall pushing boundaries during the latest parabolic flight campaign. Inclusive space exploration with Fly!: esa.int/Science_Expl... 📸 ESA/Novespace

submitted 21 days ago • 1 comment

🚀🏉 From the stars to the stadium! @esa.int and Stade Toulousain launched a new limited-edition jersey celebrating where rugby meets space: discipline, dedication and teamwork 🤝. 👕 With Thomas Pesquet, this partnership brings space exploration closer to fans through the universal language of sport 🏅.

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Recipe for a ‘Rocky Road’ crater on #Mars: ☄️Toss in a space rock 🌋Layer with lava 💦Carve channels with water ❄️Chill to create ice, freeze-thaw to expand edges 🍪Sprinkle with volcanic dust, leave to set 👩‍🍳Serve to hungry #planetsci fans! Explore👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl... 📷 @esa.int #MarsExpress 🔭🧪

submitted 27 days ago • 2 comments

The countdown to #Ignis is ON 🔥⏰ @astro-slawosz.bsky.social and his #Ax4 crew mates will travel to the International Space Station NET 8 June. From Cologne 🇩🇪 to Houston 🇺🇸 and beyond, Sławosz shares how training around the world prepared him for liftoff 🚀 🔗 blogs.esa.int/exploration/... @esa.int

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

For decades, scientists have been puzzled by intriguing streak features down slopes on Mars 🤔 🧹 Something sweeping dust? 🌊 Underground water seeping out? 🌪️ Dust devils at work? @esa.int's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter helps find an answer: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

submitted 29 days ago • 4 comments

Medicines for Mars? Let’s make them last. 🚀 In 2026, @esa.int and Delta Biosciences will launch a three-year mission to the International Space Station to study how radiation affects medication in space ⚕️ Improving astronaut health—and medicine on Earth 🌍 🔗 www.deltabiosciences.com/press-release

submitted 34 days ago • 2 comments

📢 Munich to the International Space Station! Teams at the Columbus Control Centre tested a new control system that sent its first commands to Europe’s laboratory in space today. Here’s what they did: 💡 Switching lights on and off 💨 Opening and closing ventilation valves 📸 by @dlr-en.bsky.social

submitted 36 days ago • 2 comments

💡 Back to light. 👀 A space POV: the blackout in Spain & Portugal, captured by @NASA polar satellites at night. ⚡️ Though electricity was restored to most areas by evening, some regions were in darkness until morning. ✨ On a cloudless night, the stars shone brighter. www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

🦾 A robotic hand designed to collect samples on other worlds has its mechanical fingers assembled. This “hand” uses two tools to secure its treasure: 🖖 Fingers to grip sample tubes. 🪠A plunger to transfer them to a container. More about this clever mechanism: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

submitted 40 days ago • 1 comment

🤖 From rover to rover. 🔴 Curiosity's discovery of complex organic molecules sets the stage for @esa.int's Rosalind Franklin rover mission on the Red Planet. 🧬 While not yet proof of life, see how Europe's next Mars explorer is well equipped to solve the mystery: blogs.esa.int/to-mars-and-...

submitted 41 days ago • 1 comment

Interplanetary transfer service, anyone? 🙋‍♀️ 🛰️⏩🔴 Europe is working towards a reusable tug called LightShip to open low-cost missions to Mars. 📣 @esa.int calls for proposals for science payloads to travel on the propulsive tug and its passenger spacecraft. 🧵 Open thread to submit your proposal.

submitted 42 days ago • 5 comments

🌕 📷 Mapping the descent of a lunar lander, using nothing but data from an event camera – this is the next challenge presented to the space community by @esa.int’s Advanced Concepts Team 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

🚀 The #Ignis mission with @esa.int project astronaut @astro-slawosz.bsky.social is set for launch on NET 29 May at 1:03 p.m. EDT / 7:03 p.m. CEST! Discover the exciting science experiments flying to the ISS as part of Poland’s technological and scientific programme 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

submitted 49 days ago • 2 comments