science-and-exploration4.305 min read
ExoMars eyes ancient Martian clay beds for signs of life
1 month ago•Source: European Space Agency
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3.07 min•2 months ago
Smile mission set for May 19 launch to map Earth's response to solar wind
The European-Chinese Smile mission, a joint ESA-CAS project to study how Earth reacts to solar wind using an X-ray camera for magnetosphere observations and a UV imager for auroras, is rescheduled to launch on May 19, 2026, aboard a European Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana after a precautionary delay due to a Vega-C subsystem issue. The launch time is 05:52 CEST / 04:52 BST / 00:52 local, with Smile released after about 57 minutes into a low-Earth orbit and solar panels unfolding around 63 minutes after liftoff, before entering an elongated orbit peaking about 121,000 km above the North Pole and extending to roughly 5,000 km above the South Pole to deliver data to ground stations. The mission aims to shed light on space weather, solar storms and geomagnetic processes through its four instruments, as ESA and CAS collaborate on this Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer.
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Stunning New Mars Images Reveal Surprising Details and True Colors
ESA's Mars Express has captured an image of a unique crater on Mars that resembles a butterfly, formed by a low-angle impact that created irregular wings and a central oval body, with evidence suggesting interaction with water or ice during formation. The region also features volcanic mesas and signs of past volcanic activity, providing insights into Mars's geological history.
Celebrating Three Decades of SOHO's Solar Observations
The ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has celebrated 30 years of continuous solar observation, overcoming challenges and revolutionizing solar science, space weather monitoring, and comet discovery, while inspiring future missions and international collaboration.
Scientists Detect First Explosive Burst from Nearby Star
Astronomers have confirmed the first observation of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from a star other than the Sun, using ESA's XMM-Newton and LOFAR telescopes. The CME, originating from a red dwarf star 130 light-years away, was extremely fast and dense, capable of stripping away planetary atmospheres, which has significant implications for the habitability of planets orbiting active stars.
Legacy of a Martian Ice Age
New images from ESA's Mars Express reveal signs of an ancient ice age on Mars, including glacial flow patterns and features like Coloe Fossae, indicating that the planet experienced significant climate changes and ice coverage during its history, even at mid-latitudes.
Gravity-Defying Condensation
A European experiment on the ISS studies how condensation behaves in microgravity using fin-shaped metal surfaces to improve understanding of heat transfer, with potential applications in space technology and Earth-based cooling systems.
PLATO Spacecraft Ready for Final Tests After Arrival at ESTEC
The European Space Agency's Plato spacecraft has completed its construction, including mounting its sunshield and solar panels, and is now preparing for final tests before a planned December 2026 launch to search for Earth-like exoplanets.
Martian Dust Devils Unveil Faster Winds and Turbulent Surface Conditions
Scientists analyzed 20 years of images from ESA's Mars Express and ExoMars TGO to track 1039 dust devils on Mars, revealing that wind speeds are faster than previously thought and providing new insights into the planet's weather and climate, which will aid future missions and climate models.
Organic compounds found in Enceladus's ocean boost potential for life
Scientists analyzing data from the Cassini spacecraft have discovered complex organic molecules in the fresh ice grains ejected from Saturn's moon Enceladus, indicating active chemical reactions in its subsurface ocean that could support life, prompting plans for a dedicated ESA mission to explore the moon further.
Gaia Detects Massive Wave Rippling Through the Milky Way
Gaia telescope data reveals a giant wave rippling through the Milky Way's outer disc, caused by large-scale vertical motions of stars, possibly due to past galactic interactions, offering new insights into our galaxy's dynamic structure.
XRISM reveals unexpected speeds in cosmic wind from X-ray binary
The XRISM mission has discovered that the winds from a neutron star system are unexpectedly dense and slower than those from supermassive black holes, challenging current understanding of how such winds form and influence their environments. The findings suggest that differences in accretion disc temperature and size may explain the variations, providing new insights into cosmic feedback mechanisms and galaxy evolution.