SlashGear for iPad and iPhone
RSS Feed

‘ESA’ Stories

Clean up space or suffer satellite destruction warns ESA

, Apr 25th 2013 Discuss [0]

Space debris that could potentially disrupt future satellites or even space travel must be actively cleared, with nets, harpoons, and other collection methods all under consideration, the European Space Agency concluded today. Although expensive, the tidy-up of space is essential if we're not to face even bigger bills for replacing damaged satellites, the ESA warned after the 6th European Conference on Space Debris held this week; in fact, the agency argues, the issue is akin to the problems recognized around climate change two decades ago. Read The Full Story

Herschel Space Observatory discovers a star offering a glimpse at our sun’s future

, Apr 10th 2013 Discuss [0]

The Herschel space telescope operated by the European Space Agency has captured an image of a dying star. The interesting part about the image is that the astronomers believe it offers a glimpse at what our sun will look like billions of years from now when it dies. The star is called Kappa Coronae Borealis. Read The Full Story

Universe is 80 million years older than previously thought

, Mar 21st 2013 Discuss [0]

The universe is billions of years old, but new research suggests that it's a bit older than we all originally thought. According to the European Space Agency, who looked at the findings by its Planck space probe, the universe is actually around 80 million years older than previously expected, making it just over 13.8 billion years old now. Read The Full Story

Europe and Russia teaming up for mission to Mars

, Mar 15th 2013 Discuss [0]

NASA may have already landed several rovers on the surface of Mars, but that isn't stopping other countries from trying it themselves. The European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos have signed a deal to launch an orbiter in 2016 that will orbit the Red Planet, as well as plans to put a rover on Mars in 2018 as part of the ExoMars program. Read The Full Story

ESA proposes 3D-printed buildings on the Moon

, Feb 1st 2013 Discuss [0]

The European Space Agency and London-based architecture firm Foster are exploring the possibility of constructing buildings on the Moon that are 3D printed using lunar soil and inflatable domes. While the soil itself wouldn't be durable enough to be used in structures, scientists have mixed simulated lunar soil with magnesium oxide to produce a more robust solution. Read The Full Story

NASA teams up with ESA on Euclid mission

, Jan 25th 2013 Discuss [0]

NASA has announced that it has teamed up with the ESA on the ESA's Euclid mission. The mission involves the creation of a new space telescope designed to investigate the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy within the universe. The Euclid spacecraft is expected to launch in 2020 and its mission will span six years. Read The Full Story

NASA teams with European Space Agency for Orion module

, Jan 16th 2013 Discuss [0]

This week the folks at NASA and the European Space Agency have agreed to have the latter group to create the service module for none other than the previously announced Orion space capsule. This capsule is being prepared as a crew vehicle for exploration outside of Earth's orbit, and its first test flight is scheduled for the year 2014. Read The Full Story

NASA and ESA test internet-like communication protocol using Lego robot

, Nov 9th 2012 Discuss [0]

NASA and the European Space Agency have announced they have successfully tested an internet-like interplanetary communications protocol, called Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), between astronauts on the International Space Station and a Lego-built robot in Germany. Over 225 miles separate the two. Read The Full Story

Proba-2 satellite records video of Venus solar transit

, Jun 6th 2012 Discuss [0]

One of the most exciting things for sky watchers to view over the last year was the last solar transit of the planet Venus for over 100 years. The transit occurred yesterday in the United States, and if you forgot to watch, don't worry. A tiny European space satellite took a video that's much better than what you would've been able to see from Earth. Read The Full Story

Robotic European cargo ship heads to ISS with massive load

, Mar 23rd 2012 Discuss [2]

The giant load of supplies is on its way to the International Space Station after a European robotic cargo ship launched from South America today. The cargo ship as a five day journey to reach the ISS lifted off from South America today. The automated cargo ship is called ATV-3 and took off at 12:34 AM EDT. Read The Full Story