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Universe Today • Mark Thompson

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets

ESA's Jupiter-bound JUICE mission photographed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar visitor, producing high-resolution images showing a glowing gas halo, an extended tail and hints of jets erupting from the nucleus. The capture supplements Earth-based spectroscopy and X-ray observations.

2026-03-01T15:26:21.785107-08:00

Aviation Week

ArianeGroup's 5 kN GRETA completes hot‑fire campaign as ESA funds next development phase

2026-02-26T01:56:00.902775-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris

2026-02-25T05:53:58.795175-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic

2026-02-17T03:35:15.449881-08:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets ESA's Jupiter-bound JUICE mission photographed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar visitor, producing high-resolution images showing a glowing gas halo, an extended tail and hints of jets erupting from the nucleus. The capture supplements Earth-based spectroscopy and X-ray observations.

2026-03-01T15:26:21.785107-08:00

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets

Aviation Week

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ArianeGroup's 5 kN GRETA completes hot‑fire campaign as ESA funds next development phase ArianeGroup completed a hot‑fire test campaign of its 5 kN GRETA rocket engine at Trauen, demonstrating stable operation, controlled shutdowns and multiple restarts. ESA has awarded a follow‑on contract to advance the hydrogen‑peroxide/ethanol engine for landers and Ariane 6 kick stages.

2026-02-26T01:56:00.902775-08:00

ArianeGroup's 5 kN GRETA completes hot‑fire campaign as ESA funds next development phase

SpaceWatch Global

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris Vyoma has been awarded an ESA contract to provide space-based statistical data on small orbital debris, supplying bulk traffic datasets that characterise the space environment. The service will give ESA access to population and traffic statistics needed for environment modelling, risk assessment and mission planning.

2026-02-25T05:53:58.795175-08:00

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris

SpaceWatch Global

European Commission unveils 'European Space Shield' in CWP 2026 to bolster member-state defence The European Commission, via its CWP 2026, unveiled the 'European Space Shield' — an action plan intended to reinforce EU member states' defense capabilities by coordinating space assets, resilience measures and cooperative procurement. The initiative signals a stepped-up EU role in space-based defence planning and capability development.

2026-02-20T02:13:45.611744-08:00

European Commission unveils 'European Space Shield' in CWP 2026 to bolster member-state defence

ESA

JWST produces first 3D map of Uranus’ auroras and upper atmosphere Using JWST's NIRSpec to observe Uranus for almost a full rotation, astronomers produced the first three‑dimensional map of the planet's auroras and upper atmosphere, revealing how temperature and charged particles change with height and offering new clues to the ice giant's unusual magnetic field and energy distribution.

2026-02-19T06:11:15.657559-08:00

JWST produces first 3D map of Uranus’ auroras and upper atmosphere

SpaceWatch Global

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Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic Europe’s space posture is shifting from an ESA‑centred, science‑driven model toward a national‑security logic, as capitals reweight funding, procurement and institutional roles to prioritise defence, resilience and sovereign capabilities. The shift reframes programme priorities and constrains ESA’s traditional mandate.

2026-02-17T03:35:15.449881-08:00

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic

SpaceWatch Global

18th European Space Conference: Europe shifts focus from sustainability to security At the 18th European Space Conference, discussions moved beyond sustainability and debris mitigation toward geopolitics-driven priorities: defence-oriented capabilities, sovereign intelligence and resilience of space infrastructure. The shift signals potential reallocation of funding, procurement focus and industry requirements across European agencies and contractors.

2026-02-16T04:15:46.035106-08:00

18th European Space Conference: Europe shifts focus from sustainability to security

SpaceWatch Global

MSC 2026: EUSPA's Rodrigo da Costa — why space is now central to European security At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa told Torsten Kriening that space has become a central pillar of European security, shaping defence planning, resilience and strategic autonomy. He outlined EUSPA’s role in securing satellite services and supporting collective capabilities.

2026-02-16T03:35:58.552599-08:00

MSC 2026: EUSPA's Rodrigo da Costa — why space is now central to European security

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ESA News

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets

ArianeGroup's 5 kN GRETA completes hot‑fire campaign as ESA funds next development phase

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris

Europe’s Space Pivot: ESA Shifts from Science‑Led Missions to National‑Security Logic

News Timeline