Image: Ariane 5 rocket for the Juice launch being transferred to the final assembly building at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for payload integration and last preparation for flight VA260
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Image: Ariane 5 rocket for the Juice launch being transferred to the final assembly building at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for payload integration and last preparation for flight VA260
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
ESA and CNES invite space and non-space companies from all European Member, Associate and Cooperating States to support the digital modernisation of several activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
European private sector companies developing commercial space transportation services are invited to submit proposals to ESA for co-funding and access to the space agency’s expertise and facilities. This new Boost! programme call for proposals is open through 2025, and follows a successful initial round that closed at the end of 2022.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Image: Part of a launcher inside a room that looks like a warehouse
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Image: Part of an Ariane 5 launcher in a large warehouse
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Image: Launcher booster on top of a platform running along rails, pulled by a lorry. The image is taken outdoors, the sky is cloudy, in the foreground is a path and some trees
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Swiss start-up Coactum is to press ahead with development of its in-space transportation service to bring small satellites into their targeted orbital destinations, with support from ESA’s Boost! programme.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
With first ignition, ESA’s reusable, next-generation Prometheus rocket engine development project has taken a step toward hot fire testing. Ongoing work at prime contractor ArianeGroup’s facilities in Vernon, France is being carried out using the Themis reusable stage demonstrator as a test bed.
The 100-ton thrust class Prometheus features extensive use of new materials and manufacturing techniques designed to reduce its cost to just a tenth of Ariane 5’s Vulcain 2, an upgraded version of which – Vulcain 2.1 – powers the core stage of Ariane 6.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Economic activity on Earth relies on a large logistics infrastructure – everything we buy and consume, and every trip we make, depends on a global transportation network connecting trucks, ships, aircraft, warehouses supported by fuel systems, maintenance services and communications. The same will be soon true in space – so ESA intends to connect Earth orbit and even the Moon and Mars with in-space transportation.
To set in motion the development of a comprehensive space logistics capability, ESA has asked European industry for proposals for in-orbit transportation demonstration missions. The objective will be to set up an efficient in-space system which would provide in-space transportation capabilities to access new destinations and missions such as spacecraft servicing or repair and in-orbit construction of large structures.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Europe has a strong heritage in launch, with Ariane 5 leading the market for many years and Ariane 6 being prepared to take over this role. Meanwhile, the Vega launch system has showcased Europe’s capacity for innovation, notably with the inaugural flight of Vega-C on 13 July. In Space Transportation, ESA’s ambition at this ESA Council at Ministerial level (CM22) is therefore to continue to realise the market introduction of its newest vehicles, Ariane 6 and Vega-C, while making ambitious preparations for the 2030s.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
In line with global trends, the European space transportation sector is under transformation – with more and more commercial actors taking the entrepreneurial challenge of proposing, developing and operating new services under private leadership. Acknowledging that a thriving commercial space transportation sector is of benefit to Europe, ESA is actively fostering new European privately-led space transportation services through its Commercial Space Transportation Services Programme, known as Boost!
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
By reducing the mass of rocket stages, ESA hopes to increase payload-to-orbit performance. That is the objective of a programme called PHOEBUS (Prototype of a Highly OptimisEd Black Upper Stage), which aims to produce upper stage tanks and structures in carbon fibre. Now, following completion of the project’s preliminary design review, ESA has contracted prime contractor ArianeGroup to build a full-scale upper stage demonstrator.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
ESA continues to lead the way and create opportunities for talented entrepreneurs. This week it announced the winners of its start-up competition at the 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2022) in Paris.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
ESA will introduce ten promising entrepreneurs in its start-up competition held at the 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2022) in Paris from 18–22 September.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German startup developing the three-stage RFA One orbital launch vehicle designed to operate at a high cadence, has received a contract worth €11.72 m from ESA's Boost! commercial space transportation services programme.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
As head of ESA’s photo service, Stephane Corvaja’s job is to share the wonder – and awesome power – of spaceflight. Here, he reveals how he captured this image of VV21, the inaugural flight of the new Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Video: 00:04:50
ESA’s new Vega-C rocket lifted off for its inaugural flight VV21 on 13 July 2022 at 15:13 CEST/13:13 UTC/10:13 local time from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This video features shots of the launch from different angles.
With new first and second stages and an uprated fourth stage, Vega-C increases performance to about 2.3 t in a reference 700 km polar orbit, from the 1.5 t capability of its predecessor, Vega.
For flight VV21, Vega-C’s payload is LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian space agency ASI and six research CubeSats from France, Italy and Slovenia.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
Video: 00:02:35
ESA’s newest launch system has faced its first full validation test, carrying LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian space agency ASI, and a secondary payload package of French, Italian and Slovenian research CubeSats.
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
ESA’s new Vega-C rocket is just one day from its inaugural flight. You can follow live on ESA Web TV. Flight VV21 will lift off as soon as 13 July at 13:13 CEST, pending suitable conditions for launch.
_ Broadcast begins 12:45 CEST/11:45 BST on ESA Web TV_
_ 13:13 CEST/12:13 BST/11:13 UTC/08:13 Kourou – liftoff_
#launchers #space #science #esa #europeanspaceagency
posted by pod_feeder_v2
