ESA Top Multimedia

The European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences are joining hands to uncover how Earth defends itself against dangerous particles and radiation from the Sun.

It’s the first time we will have images and videos of what happens when this solar wind crashes into our magnetic field. Smile will witness this interaction in action, using four onboard instruments to watch the drama unfold.

Life can only exist as we know it when nestled safe inside this giant magnetic bubble surrounding our planet. By imaging the bubble as a whole for the first time, Smile will help us build up the fundamental understanding that space weather forecasting will ultimately depend on.

Learn more about Smile.

Comet 3I/ATLAS in different colours

Artemis II launched on 2 April at 00:35 CEST, (18:35 local time on 1 April), sending astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. At the heart of the mission is ESA's European Service Module, which powers, propels and sustains the Orion spacecraft and its crew on their journey around the Moon and safely back to Earth.

The Artemis II rocket, with Orion and its European Service Module on top, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The Artemis II rocket, with Orion and its European Service Module on top, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Since their arrival aboard the International Space Station on 14 February 2026, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway have already carried out two sessions of EchoFinder, an experiment developed by the French space agency CNES for the εpsilon mission. Each session takes about 3 to 4 hours, including the 30 minutes of installation/setup and 30 minutes of wrap-up shown in this timelapse.

EchoFinder tackles a simple yet crucial challenge for the future of human space exploration: how can astronauts perform a reliable ultrasound scan without medical training and without real-time support from a doctor?

EchoFinder is a software assistant that combines augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The augmented reality interface guides the astronaut by showing exactly where to position the ultrasound probe on the body. Once the probe is correctly placed, an artificial intelligence system takes over to identify the organs and record the images. In the future, these images would be sent to medical teams on Earth for diagnosis.

This technology was developed with upcoming space missions in mind, where communication delays would make remote assistance from a specialist impossible. It also has promising applications on Earth, for example on ships at sea, in submarines, or in remote areas without immediate access to medical expertise.

The Artemis II rocket at its launchpad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

Join ESA reserve astronaut John McFall in this jumping activity to improve bone and muscle strength and endurance. Mission X: Train like an astronaut is a hands-on project that engages young learners with STEM, health and nutrition activities in the inspiring context of space. #missionx #astronauttraining #jump #stemlearning #exercise Download the activity pdf here: https://trainlikeanastronaut.org/jump-for-the-moon/

This activity can be done anytime, anywhere! Try it at home, in a classroom, or after-school with friends.

Access all Mission X videos. 

In October 2025, the Artemis II Orion – complete with crew module, ESA’s European Service Module, solar arrays and launch abort system – was rolled 10 kilometres to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, for stacking onto the Space Launch System rocket.

Solaranlagen, die am Orion-Raumschiff der NASA für die Artemis II Mission im Operations and Checkout Building des Kennedy Space Centers der NASA installiert wurden, Anfang März 2025. Bildquelle: Lockheed Martin

This animation shows the satellites in orbit, which are part of IRIDE’s Eaglet II constellation.

Each one carries a multispectral sensor, which captures images of Earth’s surface, as well as an Automatic Identification System (AIS) to support vessel traffic services. The data will be used to provide core services for Italian public authorities, from monitoring Italy’s coastal areas, to land use and cover, and providing maps during emergency situations.

Last glimpse of Smile

Liftoff for Celeste on Rocket Lab's Electron rocket

Meganne Christian during VR robotics training