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The ASPIICS coronagraph aboard ESA’s formation-flying Proba-3 mission is able to observe the Sun’s corona in the gap between the fields of view of solar extreme-ultraviolet imagers and conventional coronagraphs, making it uniquely suited for studies of the inner solar corona. 

This time-lapse animation captures a coronal mass ejection (CME) in the top right, combining observations made on 16 July over a period of one hour and a half by three different European instruments aboard different missions: the Sun’s disc and low corona (artificially coloured in yellow), as captured by an extreme-ultraviolet telescope (SWAP) aboard Proba-2; the outer corona (in red) observed by the LASCO C2 coronagraph aboard SOHO; and the inner corona (in green), imaged in detail by Proba-3’s ASPIICS coronagraph, filling the gap. 

Andrei Zhukov from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Principal Investigator for the ASPIICS coronagraph on Proba-3, comments: “You can see the CME starting at the edge of the solar disc, captured by Proba-2. Then it extends into the inner coronal region, which is now visible to us thanks to Proba-3, before reaching the high corona observed by SOHO. The continuity with which we can now observe the CME structure extend outwards from the Sun is incredible.”  

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Europe’s newest rocket Ariane 6 was made for Galileo.  

This video shows a launch of two Galileo navigation satellites on an Ariane 6 rocket. 

Ariane and Galileo have a long history together, with 12 satellites launched aboard three Ariane 5 rockets. Ariane 6, the new generation of Europe’s heavy-lift launcher, is taking over as the reference for launching Galileo satellites. 

The world’s most precise satellite navigation system, Galileo serves billions of daily users from medium Earth orbit 23 222 km above Earth’s surface. Galileo is also making a difference across key sectors, including rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations.   

On behalf of the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA) is responsible for the design, development and qualification of Galileo's space and ground systems as well as procuring the launches. The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) operates the satellites from the Early Orbit Phase of their operational mission until their disposal at the end of life. 

Ariane 6 is a key element of ESA’s efforts to ensure autonomous access to space for Europe’s citizens. Its modular and versatile design allows it to launch all types of missions, from low-Earth orbit to deep space.   

Ariane 6 is designed and built by ArianeGroup. It has three main components each working in stages to escape Earth’s gravity and take satellites to orbit: two or four boosters, and a core and upper stage. For this launch, the rocket will be in its two-booster configuration.   

The core stage and the boosters provide thrust for the first phase of flight. The core stage is powered by the Vulcain 2.1 engine (fuelled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen), with the main thrust at liftoff provided by the P120C boosters.   

The upper stage is powered by the reignitable Vinci engine, also fuelled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen. The upper stage will fire two times to reach the required orbit for this mission.   

After separation of the Galileo satellites, the Ariane 6 upper stage moves to a stable graveyard orbit far away from operational satellites.

2025 was a landmark year for Europe in space. From celebrating 50 years of ESA to new missions, scientific breakthroughs, the year reaffirmed Europe’s leadership in science, exploration, climate action and innovation.

Over the nearly 70 years of spaceflight, about 10 000 intact satellites and rocket bodies have reentered the atmosphere with many more to follow. Yet for such a ubiquitous event, we still lack a clear view on what actually happens to a satellite during its fiery last moments.

ESA is preparing the Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object (Draco) mission that will collect unique measurements during an actual reentry and breakup of a satellite from the inside.

Just hours after its launch, planned in 2027, a capsule especially designed to survive the satellite’s destruction will transmit the collected telemetry shortly after.

As part of ESA’s Zero Debris approach, new ESA missions will be designed for safe operations and disposal to stop the creation of new debris by 2030. New satellites should be ‘designed for demise’: built to disintegrate safely, cleanly and completely when its mission ends.

At the same time, we also need to better understand the effect of satellite reentries on the atmosphere. Yet even with testing on the ground, crucial input based on real-life data of how the break-up process works is missing – for now.

The data from ESA’s Draco mission will improve reentry modelling and design-for-demise technologies, maintaining European leadership in sustainable spaceflight.

Click here for the subtitled version of the video.

Watch the replay of the media briefing held ahead of the 14th operational launch of the Galileo programme. The briefing covers the mission details for the launch of two Galileo satellites, which are set to lift off on 17 December aboard Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Cooperation agreement for the development of a space hub on the Santa Maria island of the Azores

ESA’s Ministerial Council in Bremen

Director of ESA Josef Aschbacher and Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth signing the letter of intent for Arctic Space Centre during the ministerial meeting CM25 taking place in Bremen Germany.

The first images from the recently launched Sentinel-1D and Sentinel-5 were presented at CM25 by European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.

Watch the replay of the opening session of the European Space Agency’s Ministerial Council, which took place on 26 Nov 2025 in Bremen, Germany.

Watch the replay of the opening session of the European Space Agency’s Ministerial Council, which took place on 26 Nov 2025 in Bremen, Germany.

Josef Aschbacher introduces the ESA Director General's proposal to CM25

Ministers and high-level representatives for ESA's Ministerial Council.

Delegates from ESA's Member States met in Bremen on the eve of CM25.