About: ESA

CO2-tracking satellites crucial for climate efforts, say space experts

Current Earth observation technologies are not accurate enough when it comes to monitoring carbon dioxide emissions, according to delegates at the EU’s space week in Helsinki. A new system set to launch in 2025 should change all that.

European Space Agency gets astronomical budget

The European Space Agency (ESA) will enjoy a budget of €14.4 billion over the next five years, after the agency’s 22 member states agreed on Thursday (28 November) to increase funding for space exploration.

Expert group recommends setting up European standards for ‘green bonds’

An EU sustainability taxonomy, a definition of priority investment areas, the clarification of investor duties and development of “official” European sustainability standards for green bonds are some of the recommendations experts made to the European Commission on Wednesday (31 January).

Europe’s space sector needs support

Setting-up a Joint Technology Initiative in the space sector could enhance Europe’s space ambitions. They currently lag behind those of the other space powers, writes MEP Marian-Jean Marinescu.

EU-funded ‘Armageddon’ space mission hits funding snag

An EU-funded mission to smash a spacecraft into an asteroid moon to alter its trajectory, a possible dry-run for an exercise in saving the Earth from a possible doomsday scenario, has run into a cash crunch.

Europe’s navigation satellites suffer clock failure

The European Space Agency announced today (18 January) there were "failed" clocks onboard some of the 18 navigation satellites it has launched for Galileo, Europe's beleaguered rival to America's GPS.

More than €10bn pledged for European space programmes

The European Space Agency's (ESA) member states have agreed to allocate €10.3 billion to new space projects. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.

Commission champions ‘laissez-faire’ in first response to FinTech revolution

The digital revolution in the financial sector will get a helping hand from EU regulators later this year when the European Commission tables new proposals for retail financing, with a clear objective: let the revolution flourish.

Luxembourg seeks deep impact in asteroid mining

Luxembourg has announced its intention to become a "European reference" within the field of exploiting and utilising off-planet resources, such as minerals mined from asteroids.

EU cuts deal to set up banking watchdogs

EU negotiators reached agreement yesterday (2 September) on a package of measures to beef up supervision of the bloc's banks, giving new EU watchdogs a mandate to overrule national authorities and ban risky financial products that were widely blamed for the world's worst recession in decades.

European satellite on mission to study melting ice caps

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a satellite dedicated to studying how climate change is affecting the Earth's ice.

Space ministers discuss ‘Buy European’ initiative

The Council of the European Space Agency is discussing a resolution to use only European rockets for European space missions to boost the competitiveness of the continent's space industry.

Russia signs space launch pact with Europe

Russia and Europe will jointly construct a launch site for Russian Soyuz rockets at French Guiana's Kourou space centre. Lift-off is due in 2007.

“Huge leap forward” for EU space policy

The EU's space programme, set to be defined by the end of 2005, will bring together all major European stakeholders. Commissioner Verheugen has described it as a "huge leap forward".

Europe goes to the Moon

Europe's first mission to the Moon is about to start. The unmanned, solar energy driven SMART-1 spacecraft has entered the orbit around the Moon. It will collect a range of data, some of which will be used to study the Moon's origins.  

European space industry struggling to keep up with US

Despite positive financial data for 2002, the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) calls for increased public funding and better cooperation between stakeholders to retain the EU's competitive position.

Parliament rapporteur supports new take off for EU space policy

The Parliament's Industry Committee on 9 September adopted its report on the Commission's Green Paper on space policy, outlining the key issues facing the European space industry.