Satellites in action after cyclone in Madagascar

March 01, 2013
The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, currently chaired by CNES, was activated to come to the aid of populations in Madagascar hit by Cyclone Haruna on 22 February.

Names for Pluto’s 2 smallest moons

February 14, 2013
The SETI Institute in the United States has conducted a write-in ballot of Internet users to give names to the 2 smallest currently known moons of Pluto. The name of the dwarf planet itself was suggested by an 11-year-old girl in 1930.

Space tool detects counterfeit food

February 13, 2013
A laser instrument developed by the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in the UK to measure carbon on Mars could prove very valuable here on Earth.

First flight of Diamant 47 years ago

November 28, 2012
The maiden flight of the French launcher placed France's first satellite, Asterix, in orbit at an altitude of 200 km on 26 November 1965.

Poland becomes 20th member state of ESA

November 28, 2012
On 19 November, the Polish government completed the final step in the process of its accession to the European Space Agency when it filed its ratification instrument.

France hosts the world's premier aerospace training and research hub

November 28, 2012
The ISAE aeronautics and space institute group now leads the world in its field after being joined by the ESTACA aeronautical and automotive engineering school and the French Air Force officer training academy on 25 September.

European radar to track space debris

September 13, 2012
ESA is going to boost European industrial expertise by developing a new experimental radar for the agency’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) programme.

MSG-3 weather satellite working well

August 07, 2012
Eumetsat’s new weather satellite, orbited 5 July from French Guiana by an Ariane 5 launcher, has beamed back its first pictures of Earth.

Japan working on a liquefied natural gas engine

July 31, 2012
Despite halting development of its GX launch vehicle, the Japanese space agency JAXA plans to pursue its work on methane propulsion.