NASA Spaceflight
• Haygen Warren
The European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter detected hydrogen chloride above fissures on Alba Mons, a vast Martian volcano. The finding suggests volcanic activity may persist beneath the surface and raises the possibility that heat-driven environments resembling Earth’s hydrothermal systems could help scientists investigate Mars’ potential to support life.
European Spaceflight
ESA
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The European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter detected hydrogen chloride above fissures on Alba Mons, a vast Martian volcano. The finding suggests volcanic activity may persist beneath the surface and raises the possibility that heat-driven environments resembling Earth’s hydrothermal systems could help scientists investigate Mars’ potential to support life.
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The European Space Agency’s Hera planetary-defense probe has imaged Didymos and its smaller moon Dimorphos as separate objects for the first time, as it approaches the binary asteroid system. Hera will investigate the aftermath of NASA’s DART collision, collecting data on kinetic-impact deflection and probing outstanding scientific questions about the asteroids.
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European Space Agency member states are scheduled to meet in Rome on Dec. 15 to decide the future of Europe’s human and robotic exploration program. The decision will set the direction for the agency’s exploration agenda as Europe looks beyond the International Space Station.
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The European Space Agency plans to support industry-led flight demonstrations of reusable rocket boosters through its Boosters for European Space Transportation (BEST!) initiative. The effort puts ESA behind companies demonstrating booster recovery and reuse, a key step toward developing reusable launch systems in Europe.
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ESA’s Nicolaus Hanowski sets out 10 strengths and 10 weaknesses in Europe’s Earth-observation sector. Torsten Kriening argues that the region must address the weaknesses, framing Europe’s broad view of the world as both an asset and a problem.
The European Space Agency’s head is due to meet officials in the United Arab Emirates this week as Europe looks to build new partnerships for space exploration and reduce its reliance on the United States. The visit signals a push to broaden the bloc’s international space relationships.
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CNES has started ground qualification testing of Callisto, a reusable rocket demonstrator, in French Guiana. The campaign precedes a first flight planned for 2027; the available report does not specify test objectives, vehicle capabilities or the partners involved.
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