European Space Agency warns: China's Tiangong-1 space station 'will crash into Earth over Easter' possibly hitting populated areas- by Harry Pettit

China's out of control space station Tiangong-1 to crash on earth

China's out-of-control space station will crash into Earth this coming Easter weekend, according to the European Space Agency.

The agency's Space Debris Office has said Tiangong-1 will hit somewhere across our planet's northern hemisphere between March 30 and April 2.

Previous estimates suggested the rogue station, China's out of Cwhich is carrying highly toxic chemicals, would enter Earth's orbit on April 3.

According to experts tracking the station, it has the highest chance of crashing along a narrow strip around latitudes of 43 degrees north and south.

The ESA said crash date estimates were 'highly variable' and that its experts would be offering revised forecasts every couple of days.

'At no time will a precise time/location prediction from ESA be possible,' the agency's Space Debris Office, based in Darmstadt, Germany, said in a statement.

The doomed 8.5-tonne craft has been hurtling towards Earth since Chinese scientists lost control of it in 2016.

Experts believe most of Tiangong-1 will burn up upon reentry, but shards as large as 100kg (220lbs) could strike Earth.

Scientist believe that even in 'high risk' areas, the chance of being struck by Tiangong-1 debris is about one million times smaller than the odds of winning the Powerball jack. 

However, there is a chance parts of the station containing hazardous hydrazine could plummet into a highly-populated area.

Following Cities are listed as potential crash sites:

Barcelona	Spain	Milwaukee	USA
Beijing	China	Monaco	Monaco
Bilbao	Spain	Naples	Italy
Boise	USA	New York	USA
Boston	USA	Nice	France
Boulder	USA	Philadelphia	USA
Buffalo	USA	Pittsburgh	USA
Cannes	France	Punta Arenas	Chile
Chicago	USA	Rochester	USA
Christchurch	New Zealand	Rome	Italy
Cleveland	USA	Salt Lake City	Spain
Concord	USA	San Sebastian	Spain
Des Moines	USA	Sapporo	Japan
Detroit	USA	Sioux Falls	USA
Florence	Italy	Sochi	Russia
Istanbul	Turkey	Stanley	Falkland Islands
Kushiro	Japan	Toronto	Canada
Madrid	Spain	Trelew	Argentina
Marseilles	France	Valladolid	Spain

Read more: China's Tiangong-1 space station 'will crash into Earth over Easter' | Daily Mail On

French Guiana - ESA: Getting the New European Ariane 6 Space Vehicle launch pad ready by July 2020

The New ESA Ariane 6

When Euronews visited, around 500 people were active on the site from six in the morning until ten at night, with attention focused on two key elements of the pad – firstly the huge flame trench which will take the hot gases away from the rocket on launch, and the new building in which the Ariane 6 will be built.

Every element of the new launcher has been built with efficiency and savings in mind, as Europe’s space sector seeks to halve the cost of launching an Ariane 6 compared to today’s heavyweight Ariane 5.

One of the key innovations is that the Ariane 6 will be built horizontally, like the Americans and Russians already do, rather than vertically. This allows for big economies in terms of air conditioning costs and the need for special safety equipment for staff working on high-level platforms.

Didier Coulon, who manages the site for the European Space Agency, explains the steps a rocket will go through: “Once we’ve assembled the launcher, it will be put on a transporter, and we send it to the launch zone, and there it’s raised up vertically, we then bring along the boosters, and at that moment we carry our a general check of the launcher, and that gives the green light to bring along the upper composite with the satellite inside. Once we’ve done that we pull back the 90 metre high mobile portico and we go ahead with the launch.“

Read more: Race to build Ariane 6 rocket launch pad | Euronews

European Space Agency: ESA to supply cameras for Russian lunar mission

European Space Agency Rocket launch from Kourou French Guiana base

With plans to blast off to the Moon in 2019, Russia have enlisted the help of the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide high-resolution cameras necessary for the landing of the spacecraft as Russia prepares to initiate its new lunar exploration program.

The first mission of Russia's lunar program, Luna-Glob, will be one of five spacecraft that is intended to fly to the Moon to study its south pole from both space and on the ground, with further craft aiming to return lunar soil samples back to Earth with a device also supplied by ESA.

"We hope, at least as of today all agreements have been reached, that the European Space Agency will take part in lunar research," said director general of the NPO Lavochkin research and industrial association, Sergey Lemeshevsky.

"It is quite possible that ESA will take part in the development and manufacture of the high-precision landing systems. It will be the third explorer," said Lemeshevsky.

"We have invited the Europeans to take part, they said ‘yes’ concerning soil collecting devices and ‘yes’ concerning high-precision cameras for the 2019 spacecraft. However talks on high-precision landing are still underway," he added.

Russia's lunar program has been years in the making, but has been repeatedly delayed. Now with ESA on board, who already have substantial investments in other Russian-EU programs such as ExoMars, the lunar mission may finally achieve its 2019 launch target.

ESA to supply cameras for Russian lunar mission

European Space Agency: Last ESA cargo mission heads for space station

Europe;s Ariane 5, Lifting Worlds heaviest Payload

The International Space Station (ISS) is getting a new load of groceries courtesy of ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV)-5 Georges Lemaître which lifted off today. The 20-tonne unmanned cargo ship was launched atop an Ariane 5 rocket at 23:44 GMT (1:44 am CEST July 30) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The final flight of the ATV program, it carries six tonnes of supplies to the station.

The fifth and last of the European ATVs that have flown since 2008, ATV-5 is named after Georges Lemaître, the Belgian professor of physics and Catholic priest who first proposed the theory of the Big Bang. The 20,275 kg (44,698 lb) spacecraft is the heaviest ATV to fly and the heaviest payload flown by an Ariane 5, and has the largest power and cargo capacity of any spacecraft currently visiting the ISS.

ATV-5 is carrying 6.6 tonnes of cargo to the ISS, including ESA’s Electromagnetic Levitator designed to study the casting of alloys in a weightless environment, and several other science experiments. In addition, the craft is also carrying breathable gases, food, drinking water, spare parts, and general supplies. Because there isn't a washing machine on the station, ATV-5 is also carrying fresh clothes and a supply of high-tech ESA Spacetex t-shirts, which the space agency says will stay fresher longer.

Read more: Last ESA cargo mission heads for space station

Space exploration: Russia May Land Probe on Jupiter's Moon Ganymede with Europe's Juice Mission

A Russian probe being designed to land on Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon, could launch toward the gas giant with a European spacecraft being developed to explore Jupiter's icy ocean-covered satellites, according to European space officials.

The benefits of such a joint launch arrangement, including sharing reconnaissance and mapping from Europe's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), are not lost on scientists. But more Earthly concerns, such as government finances and the realities of technical developments, could thwart the proposal.

"It all depends on if the Russians are ready to fly at the same time as us," said Alvaro Gimenez Canete, director of the European Space Agency (ESA)'s science and robotic exploration programs.

Read more: Russia May Land Probe on Jupiter's Moon Ganymede with Europe's JUICE Mission | Space.com

Europe's IXV 'space wedge' performs drop test

A successful "drop test" has been conducted on Europe's experimental re-entry vehicle, the IXV.

A 1:1 scale model was released from an altitude of 3km by a helicopter, and then descended to a splashdown in the Mediterranean on a parachute.

The IXV is a project of the European Space Agency that aims to develop an autonomous atmospheric re-entry system.

A flight model will be launched on a Vega rocket next year and will have to descend from an altitude of 420km.

Read more: BBC News - Europe's IXV 'space wedge' performs drop test

European Space Agency offering software developers the opportunity to use its new testbed in space.

ESA is offering software developers the opportunity to use its new testbed in space. The robust nanosat will allow individuals, companies and institutions to try out pioneering software without the danger of losing a mission.

Satellites are so complex and costly that their controllers cannot afford to take risks. The need for reliability means that onboard and ground control software has not altered significantly in the past 20 years.

But the tiny Ops-Sat, a CubeSat combining commercial off-the-shelf technology and ESA expertise, is a chance to try out new ideas in space as early as 2015.

"This satellite is designed for experimenting with mission-critical software both on board and on the ground," says Dave Evans, Ops-Sat project manager at ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany. "This means it must be flexible, powerful and robust.

"In this way we can offer a real flying laboratory for experimenters, whether they are experienced in dealing with space missions or not."

For additional information click here. 

Read more: Wanted: ESA seeks innovators for orbiting laboratory / GSP / About Us / ESA

Europe sets modest goals for space - by Edwin Cartlidge

Europe’s space chiefs are hailing the two-day meeting at which research ministers hammered out Europe’s priorities in space as a success, despite them getting less money than they had hoped. At the 20–21 November meeting in Naples, Italy, the ministers agreed to give the European Space Agency (ESA) €10.1 billion (US$13 billion) over the next several years, somewhat less than the total €12 billion cost of the project proposals considered at the meeting.

The level of funding is a significant achievement given current economic difficulties, says Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA’s director-general. He adds that he is pleased that ministers managed to strike deals on a number of thorny issues, including how to replace the Ariane 5 satellite-launching rocket and how to fund Europe’s contribution to the International Space Station (ISS).
“It was a very difficult meeting,” he says. “There was a lot of stress, a lot of discussions. But we can say it was a big success. Space is no longer about expenses, it is an investment.”

The ministers from ESA's member countries, which currently number 20, meet every few years to set funding levels for all of the agency's activities. All member states have to contribute towards the mandatory activities, centred on the scientific programme, which develops space-based telescopes and other scientific instruments, and they can then choose which of the other areas, such as telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation or launcher development, they participate in. With flat funding of about €500 million per year for 2013–17, the scientific programme takes a cut in real terms, although it is not yet clear which missions will be affected as a result.

Read more: Europe sets modest goals for space : Nature News & Comment

Outer Space Research: Europe seeks funding for mini robotic space plane

the ESA ISV

A European-built robot space plane could be soaring in orbit before the end of the decade if the program to develop it gains funding approval next month. 

The Innovative Space Vehicle (ISV) would be Europe's civilian equivalent of the U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, a robotic miniature space shuttle that has flown on two missions since 2010. The unmanned space plane would be much smaller than the Air Force vehicle, however.

Its fate rests with the European Space Agency’s ministers, who are scheduled to meet Nov. 20-21 in Italy.

The ESA ministerial meeting is conducted every three years to decide programs and funding for the period until the next meeting. PRIDE (the Program for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe) will be seeking funding there for the ISV, which would be a follow-up to its Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (or IXV), currently being built after months of delays.

Read more: Europe seeks mini robotic space plane - Technology & science - Space - Space.com | NBC News

Europe space agency eyes manned flights with China

The head of ESA's human spaceflight division said his agency is exploring the possibility of joint space missions with China as part of a wider cooperation with the country. In 2003, China became only the third nation to launch a human into orbit after Russia and the United States. "I would welcome a European astronaut flying aboard a Chinese spaceship," Thomas Reiter told The Associated Press in an interview on the sidelines of the ILA Berlin Air Show. The German former astronaut said ESA is planning to slowly deepen cooperation with its Chinese counterpart and could aim for joint missions in "the second half of this decade." "In fact, some of our astronauts have started Chinese language training," he said. Despite being a member of the International Space Space program, ESA doesn't have its own means of getting astronauts into orbit but has instead paid for seats aboard Russian and American spacecraft.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-09-europe-space-agency-eyes-flights.html#jCp

The head of ESA's human spaceflight division said his agency is exploring the possibility of joint space missions with China as part of a wider cooperation with the country. In 2003, China became only the third nation to launch a human into orbit after Russia and the United States. "I would welcome a European astronaut flying aboard a Chinese spaceship," Thomas Reiter told The Associated Press in an interview on the sidelines of the ILA Berlin Air Show.

The German former astronaut said ESA is planning to slowly deepen cooperation with its Chinese counterpart and could aim for joint missions in "the second half of this decade." "In fact, some of our astronauts have started Chinese language training," he said. Despite being a member of the International Space Space program, ESA has instead of using their own equipment paid for seats aboard Russian and American spacecraft.

Even hough the ESA has heavy rocket lifters like the Ariane 5 available, they have so far decided against their own manned program and so far had to rely on Russia to get into space. Reiter said the 19-nation agency plans to hold a series of meetings with its Chinese counterpart, the China National Space Administration, that will explore closer cooperation in the areas of astronaut training, spacecraft docking and developing life support systems. "Then I think it's a question of political negotiations at a higher level to see if really a common mission could be achieved," he said. Eventually, ESA would also like China to become a member of the ISS program if U.S. objections can be overcome.

Read more: Europe space agency eyes manned flights with China (Update)

European Space Agency (ESA) marks a milestone year

Europe's Ariane rocket laucher

Arianespace is probably best-known as the launch services operator for the European Space Agency, and thus closely associated with Ariane rocket operations from Europe's spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana.

The firm, founded in 1980 and headquartered in France, has as its principle shareholders French space agency CNES and EADS Astrium, along with space companies in 10 European countries. Arianespace is also active at the Baikonur cosmodrome via Starsem, its joint subsidiary with Russia.

But it would be a mistake to think of Arianespace as just Europe's launch operator. Its record so far of 206 Ariane launches, 26 Soyuz launches (including 24 from Baikonur) and the first launch, earlier this year, of ESA's new Vega render it responsible for orbiting more than half of the commercial satellites now flying.

Indeed, Arianespace commands 64% of the Asia-Pacific satellite launch market and is optimistic it will improve that already-dominant market share.

The company's most recent launch occurred on 15 May, when an Ariane 5 ECA hoisted Japan's JCSAT-13 and Vietnam's Vinasat-2 into geostationary orbit, from Kourou. The dual mission marked the 62nd launch of the Ariane 5, and its 48th success in a row.

Read more: ESA marks a milestone year

European Space Agency: How ESA and industry will work together in the future

 ESA and industry have built a strong relationship in the 35 years they have worked together. But with changing times, we should review this relationship to see what has worked well and what needs to be improved, so that it continues to grow.

On 10 May, the last of a series of workshops at the various ESA establishments concluded at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy. Part of a ‘consultation with industry’ process, each workshop dealt with a number of important topics regarding the cooperation between ESA, industry and Member States.

Participating in these workshops have been ESA experts, Member State delegates and representatives from Eurospace, ESOA, EARSC, SME4Space, large and medium system integrators, equipment suppliers, operators and SMEs.

Read more: ESA Portal - Focus On - How ESA and industry will work together in the future

Outer Space: Europe’s third cargo vehicle docks with the Space Station

ESA’s ATV Edoardo Amaldi has completed the first stage of its docking with the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station.

The docking occurred smoothly when ATV’s docking probe was captured by Zvezda’s docking cone at 00:31 CEST ( 22:31 GMT).

The docking probe is now retracting, to be followed by the hooks between the two craft closing. The data and electrical connections will then be established.

The 20-tonne vessel, flying autonomously while being continuously monitored from the ground, docked with the 450-tonne orbital complex with a precision of 6 cm as they circled Earth at more than 28 000 km/hr. 

For more: ESA Portal - Europe’s third cargo vehicle docks with the Space Station