Paxi free falling in the ZARM Drop Tower and experimenting with weightlessness during 4.7 seconds.
Credit: ZARM
Tag: European Space Agency
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Alan Parsons’ “Eye in the Sky” message to Luca
On Tuesday, 23 July, the Alan Parsons Live Project played at the Foro Italico in Rome. Alan dedicated his classic song Eye in the Sky to ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and recorded a video message that was sent to International Space Station. Eye in the Sky is one of Luca’s favourite songs, and on viewing this message, Luca said, “Fantastico!”
Luca Parmitano is the sixth Italian astronaut in space, but he was the first to really go ‘into space’ and leave the the protective shell of his spacecraft, when he made two spacewalks a few weeks ago during his Volare mission.
Video copyright: ESA/Alan Parsons Music
Sirius/Eye in the Sky written by: A. Parsons/E. Woolfson
Music excerpts, courtesy Alan Parsons Music
Video produced by ESA/M. Civita -
Fly-through movie of Hebes Chasma
Fly-through movie of Hebes Chasma, the northernmost part of Valles Marineris. The movie was created from images taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera on Mars Express.
Copyright: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)
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Visit ESA’s Pavilion at the Paris Air and Space Show 2013
The 50th International Paris Air & Space Show at Le Bourget opened its doors on Monday 17 June.
The Agency’s pavilion, situated between the full-size models of the Ariane 1 and Ariane 5 launchers, features the wealth of ESA programmes across all space domains, and focus on recent and upcoming launches and their results. This year, the emphasis is on space as a driver of competitiveness and growth. -
Satellite sees Russian meteor explosion from space
The meteor that exploded over the Urals of central Russia was seen by Eumetsat’s Meteosat-9, at the edge of the satellite view. Hundreds of people were reportedly injured as the meteor’s massive sonic boom caused widespread damage.
Credit: Eumetsat
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ESA – Space to Relax / Earth & Mars: 2 Planets, 1 Blueprint
Watch landscapes easily blend from one world to the other in this gallery of Earth and Mars images taken from space.
Images: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin
Music: Crystals licensed by Ambient Music Garden. -
ESA Euronews: Measuring earth’s vital magnetic field
Earth’s magnetosphere is an invisible shield, protecting our planet from harmful solar radiation.
Many living organisms – from bacteria to insects or birds – seem to rely on Earth’s magnetic field to navigate. Man has been doing so for a thousand years since the invention of the compass.
But research shows the magnetic field is weakening and scientists are trying to understand why.
Some believe it signals a pole reversal in progress, not an uncommon phenomenon in the history of our planet.
As ground observatories fail to grasp the whole picture, we are sending magnetometers into orbit to try to measure the magnitude and the direction of the magnetic field.
Find out more, this week, in Space.
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ESA – Space to Relax / MagISStra City Views: Photos by Paolo Nespoli
A breathtaking collection of photos taken by ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli during his 6-month MagISStra mission on the International Space Station 25 December 2010 – 24 May 2011.
Music: Dream Elements by Green Sun licensed by Ambient Music Garden.
Video produced for Lufthansa inflight entertainment (released June 2011). -
ESA astronaut André Kuipers’ tour of the International Space Station
ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers invites you to follow a guided tour of the complete International Space Station. Andre himself is the tour guide during this unique visit to the Station.
In the space of one hour Andre shows every module of the International Space Station and explains the ins and outs of living in the largest laboratory in space. This video gives a wonderful glimpse of how life is for an astronaut living in the Station. From science and maintenance to operating robotic arms and finding lost equipment, Andre takes you from the Japanese research module via the Station’s cellar and ‘garden’ to the Russian segment, ending his tour with breath-taking views of Earth from the European-built Cupola observation module.
This video was recorded during the end of ESA’s PromISSe mission. Andre spent a total of 193 days in space before returning to Earth on 1 July 2012.
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Ariane 5 performs 50th successful launch in a row
Thursday 2 August 2012 marked the 50th successful Ariane flight in a row: an Ariane 5 was launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to perform a dual deployment of two telecommunications satellites, Intelsat 20 and Hylas-2, into their planned transfer orbits.
Lift off of flight VA208 took place at 22:54 CEST; 17:54 French Guiana time. This was Ariane 5’s fourth launch of 2012, continuing a line of launch successes unbroken since 2003.
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Backstage at ESA with the Travel Office, HR Outreach, ‘Heavy Gang’ and more!
This short video looks at some of the behind the scene roles that contribute to making the ESA working environment a success.
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ESA Euronews: Private Space
Boldly going where no private company has gone before.
On 25 May 2012 the first commercial spacecraft berthed with the International Space Station. A private company achieved something only national agencies have ever done before: flying and recovering an orbital craft. With private companies launching their own spaceships and designing their own orbital stations, it’s the dawn of commercial spacefaring.
We talk to people involved in that development and we explore the world’s first commercial spaceport. -
Kuipers landing highlights
On 1 July 2012, ESA astronaut André Kuipers, NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko returned to Earth in their Soyuz capsule. It marks the end of PromISSe, the fourth ESA long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station.
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Bettina Boehm, explains why it’s great to work at ESA
Bettina Boehm, Head of Human Resources, talks about the different entry options available at ESA and why this is a great organisation to work at.
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Earth from Space: Mississippi River Delta
Earth from Space is presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web-TV virtual studios.
In the twenty-fourth edition we look at the Mississippi River Delta, where the largest river in the United States empties into the Gulf of Mexico. -
Sir Elton John greets the ‘Rocket Men’
This video was specially recorded during Sir Elton John’s Million Dollar Piano Show in Las Vegas, on 17 April 2012, 40 years to the day after his single Rocket Man was released around the world.
Continuing the celebration of ESA astronaut André Kuipers’ music in space, British rock legend Sir Elton sent a special message to ESA, André and the crew of the ISS on the 40th anniversary of this classic song.
Sir Elton said, “When I was a boy Dan Dare was a comic book hero, and space travel just a romantic idea, not a reality. I was 14 years old when Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space; my songwriting partner Bernie Taupin was just 11. Bernie and I did not meet until 1967, and two years after we met, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on to the moon.
“Our generation was smitten with the glory and excitement of space travel. ‘Rocket Man’ – and indeed ‘Dan Dare’ on the Rock of the Westies album – came from those boyhood dreams of travelling beyond the stars and looking back on Earth.
“Not long after the Rocket Man single was released, my band and I were invited to the NASA headquarters in Texas and shown around by Al Worden, Apollo 15 command module pilot. It was thrilling to find that real astronauts liked our song, Rocket Man, which was about an imaginary astronaut.
“Now, 40 years later, it’s amazing to hear from the astronauts at the European Space Agency that they like the song and that it has been on the playlist on the International Space Station. I send my best wishes to ESA and all the crew, and my thanks for keeping those boyhood dreams alive.”
André said, “This song has been an inspiration to many people who are interested in space, and especially those who wanted to become astronauts, including myself. It is certainly one of the most played songs here on the ISS, and we know it will accompany more astronauts into space in the future.”
Rocket Man appeared on Elton John’s album Honky Château, released also 40 years ago next week, on 19 May 1972.
Video copyright ESA/Rocket Music
Rocket Man written by E. John and B. Taupin
Music and concert excerpts, courtesy Rocket Music
Video produced by ESA/J. Makinen -
ESA astronaut André Kuipers and astronaut Don Pettit greet WWF
ESA astronaut and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ambassador André Kuipers and his Expedition 31 crewmate, NASA astronaut Don Pettit, took part in a video call with the WWF annual meeting that took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on 8 May 2012.
WWF representatives worldwide heard what André and Don had to say about our planet. Their unique vantage point on the International Space Station and ESA’s Earth observation satellites help us understand how fragile our planet is.
The Dutch branch of the WWF — Wereld Natuur Fonds — is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
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Dream team – ESA assistants
Dream team – ESA assistants Kerstin, Marita and Tatiana talk about the daily challenges of their jobs.
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Space walks in 3D and other recent imagery from the ISS
ESA astronaut André Kuipers’ stay on the International Space Station (ISS) started on 23 December 2011 and continues until 1 July 2012. Apart from his demanding tasks as Flight Engineer for Expeditions 30/31, André is providing us with amazing imagery of Earth and of life and work on the ISS. For the first time, digital 3D still photos have been taken of cosmonauts carrying out extravehicular activities in their spacesuits. This short clip collects a selection of 3D images footage taken with the Erasmus Recording Binocular (ERB-2) and some 3D stills from a Fuji W3 camera. Stereoscopic images are a unique tool for providing viewers with a sense of presence in the constrained and dense habitat in which the astronauts live.
Stereoscopic 3D glasses are required to properly enjoy the full 3D effect of this footage.
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Aurora Australis from Space Station
André took this video of Aurora Australis from the European Cupola module in the Space Station. The beautiful phenomenon is caused by bursts of particles from the Sun pouring down Earth’s magnetic field into the atmosphere.
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ESA Euronews: The mysteries of Mercury
Mercury has always been something of a puzzle for planetary scientists. Its close position to the Sun means it is very difficult to observe, but now a series of satellites is getting up close to this fascinating planet. The European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission is among them, and it will offer an unprecedented level of information about the mysterious world of Mercury.
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ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti addresses Space Lab winners
YouTube Space Lab is a campaign initiated by YouTube, NASA, Space Adventures and Lenovo that challenges students around the world to design a science experiment for the International Space Station.
The winning experiments will be conducted in space on the International Space Station, making it the Universe’s largest science lesson, streamed live for the world to see via YouTube.
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A job like no other…Micha Schmidt on his career @ ESA
Micha Schmidt is a Spacecraft Operations Manager at ESA. In this video he talks about his involvement in the Herschel project and the many phases of development that exist in all ESA projects. Micha also talks about his fascination for space as a boy and what a great experience it has been to live in various European countries whilst working for ESA.
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How to become an astronaut
‘How do I become an astronaut?’ is a question that Frank Danesy has been asked many, many times. In this video Frank talks about the qualities needed to become an astronaut, the selection campaigns and the rigorous training involved for the lucky few who are eventually chosen.
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Timelapse of Western Europe seen from onboard the ISS
Western Europe in timelapse as seen from the International Space Station by ESA astronaut André Kuipers, during his long-duration mission to the ISS, PromISSe
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Orchestra plays an inspiring tribute to ESA’s André Kuipers
The 42-piece DSS Aarlanderveen orchestra played an inspiring tribute to André Kuipers at their annual ‘Wish concert’ on 11 February 2012. Each year the orchestra take ‘wish’ requests from Dutch celebrities, but this year the orchestra wanted to perform something very special for Wensconcert 2012, and uniquely decided to dedicate their ‘wish’ spot to André.
They chose the Jupiter hymn from Holst’s ‘The Planets’ suite, one of
André’s favourite pieces. Afterwards the audience was treated to a message received from the ISS, in which André said: “Oh how nice! I have this music up here with me. I’m very honoured to have such a beautiful piece dedicated to me. Warmest thanks for that.”The DSS Aarlanderveen orchestra is based in Aarlanderveen, near Alphen aan den Rijn, in the Netherlands. Leading the orchestra on the night was Danny Oosterman, a well-known Dutch conductor, cornet and trumpet player, and instructor at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Utrechts Conservatorium.
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ESA Euronews: The sounds of space
There are many links between music and space. Astronauts like Frank De Winne take their favourite rock music with them to orbit, while musicians on Earth often take inspiration from the stars in their work. Some astrophysicists have transposed plasma waves and electron beams into audible sound.
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Succès pour le vol inaugural du nouveau lanceur Vega de l’ESA
Vega, le nouveau lanceur de l’ESA, est désormais prêt pour son entrée en exploitation aux côtés d’Ariane-5 et de Soyouz, après le succès de son vol de qualification, effectué ce matin depuis le port spatial de l’Europe à Kourou (Guyane française).
Avec Vega, qui vient compléter la famille des lanceurs disponibles à Kourou, l’Europe est désormais à même de répondre à toute la gamme des besoins de lancement, que ce soit pour mettre sur orbite des petits satellites scientifiques et d’observation de la Terre ou pour entreprendre des missions de vaste envergure comme l’envoi de véhicules ESA de ravitaillement à destination de la Station spatiale internationale (ISS).
Vega a décollé pour la première fois à 10h00 GMT (11h00 heure de Paris, 7h00 heure locale) de son nouveau pas de tir, et son vol de qualification s’est parfaitement déroulé.
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ESA Euronews: A star rocket is born
The family of European rockets is growing. The next one is the youngest, called Vega, soon to be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
This new rocket complements the range that Europe already has to offer in the commercial market. -
ESA Euronews: Nasce una stella tra i lanciatori spaziali europei
La famiglia dei vettori spaziali europei si allarga con il prossimo lancio di Vega dalla base europea della Guyana francese. Questo nuovo lanciatore va a completare l’offerta della gamma europea nell’ambito dei razzi commerciali. Ne parliamo nella rubrica Space.
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PromISSe launch campaign – now in 3D!
Follow ESA astronaut André Kuipers and his crewmates, NASA astronaut Donald Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononeko, on their journey from Baikonur cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, up to their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).
On 21 December 2011, André embarked on ESA’s fourth long-duration mission to the ISS, “PromISSe”. During his five months onboard this human outpost in space, Andre is serving as a flight engineer for Expedition 30.
This exceptional 3D video shows some of the main events before launch, including: the city of Baikonur, the avenue of cosmonauts with the tree once planted by Yuri Gagarin, the Gagarin Museum, the roll-out of Soyuz in the early morning hours, the vertical erection of the rocket on the launch pad, the pre-launch press conference, the ready-to-fly report of the crew commander, and of course – the amazing light show of a night launch from the Gagarin launch pad in Baikonur.
Stereoscopic 3D glasses are required to properly enjoy the full 3D effect of this footage.
André and his fellow crew members will return to Earth by the end of May 2012.
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M16, the Eagle Nebula
This stunning movie shows the Eagle Nebula from the iconic 1995 Hubble image of the Pillars of Creation through to the latest multi-wavelength composite.
Credits: far-infrared: ESA/Herschel/PACS/SPIRE/Hill, Motte, HOBYS Key Programme Consortium; ESA/XMM-Newton/EPIC/XMM-Newton-SOC/Boulanger; optical: MPG/ESO; near-infrared/VLT/ISAAC/McCaughrean & Andersen/AIP/ESO
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2012 ESA Missions Preview
This video presents the key events in 2012 for ESA.
André Kuipers continues his PromISSe mission aboard the International Space Station until May, the 4th ESA long duration mission. During his stay the third European ATV cargo ship will bring food and supplies to the orbital outpost. Early in the year the new Vega launcher will make its qualifying flight from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The end of the year will be marked by an ESA Conference at Ministerial level, a major decision point for the future of Europe in Space.
More backgroud information can be found on: www.esa.int
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ESA Euronews: Klein aber fein
Sie haben die Größe einer Waschmaschine, doch sie beschaffen wertvolle Informationen bei der Beobachtung der Erde und der Sonne. Die Rede ist von Mikrosatelliten mit dem Namen Proba.
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ESA Application V2 for iPhone and iPad
ESA has updated its application for iPhone and iPad.
With the launch of the ESA App V2, users can see ESA’s latest satellite imagery from Envisat in near-real time, complementing the latest news and discoveries in space exploration and Earth observation.
Making full use of the iPhone and iPad touch features, ESA App V2 puts videos, images, facts and figures, ESA’s Twitter feeds, YouTube links and other information in a convenient mobile package.
Download ESA App V2 here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/esa-european-space-agency/id441518639?mt=8 -
First Soyuz transfer and liftoff from French Guiana
The Russian Soyuz vehicle lifted off for the first time from its new launch complex at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 21 October 2011. Flight VS01 carried the first two operational satellites of Europe’s Galileo navigation system into orbit.
This time-lapse movie shows the three-stage Soyuz transfer from the assembly and testing building to the launch pad where it is then raised to the vertical. Once in the Mobile gantry, the Upper Composite containing the satellites and Fregat-MT upper stage is hoisted into position on top of the vehicle. The gantry is then rolled back, clearing the way for Soyuz to lift off. -
Mars500 – 520 days in 15 minutes
ESA’s Mars500 crewmembers Diego Urbina and Romain Charles recorded 15 video diaries from all phases of their simulated mission to Mars, plus hundreds of photos and other video clips. Most of these are available on ESA’s Mars500 website (www.esa.int/Mars500), but here is a compilation of their YouTube videos.
Relive this great adventure with Romain and Diego! -
ESA Euronews: Soyuz descola pela primeira vez do Porto Espacial da Europa
Lançou o Sputnik e Gagarin para o espaço. O mítico foguetão russo Soyuz conta já com mais de 1700 voos. O lançamento do Porto Espacial Europeu, na Guiana Francesa, abre um novo capítulo na sua longa carreira.
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Galileo — Europe leads the way… in 3D!
A 3D presentation of the Galileo satellite navigation system, a joint development by the European Union and European Space Agency. This constellation of satellites will allow users to pinpoint their location anywhere on Earth — their launches commencing on 20 October 2011.
Use red/blue 3D glasses to experience the full 3D experience of this clip.
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Mission 1: Newton in Space (Español)
While on board the ISS, Pedro Duque was filmed conducting demonstrations explaining Newton’s Three Laws of Motion – the subject of ISS DVD Lesson 1.