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ESA Operations

@operations.esa.int
6.8K followers 36 following 416 posts

From Earth orbit to deep space: sharing the excitement of real-time mission operations at the European Space Agency. Home for ESA's teams working on Planetary Defence, Space Weather, Clean Space & Space Debris. esa.int/Operations esa.int/Space_Safety

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 13h
Got a message for Mercury? 🎨Draw it 🎵Sing it ✍️Write it 🎥Film it Enter @esa.int's #WelcomeToMercury competition for a chance to win a trip to ESA Mission Control and witness BepiColombo's Mercury arrival on 9 December! 📅 Enter by 25 October Learn more & enter here 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
ESA's Mission Control room with the BepiColombo Mission Control Team sitting in their positions monitoring several screens on their desks and on the front wall as they assess the status of MTM separation. The ESA logo and ESOC sign shine blue at the right end of the room.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 28/09/2026
🛰️🌏🌚 While Europe slept through the night, @esa.int's #Juice teams were hard at work. After a planned long eclipse through Earth's shadow, Juice successfully completed its Earth flyby, passed closest approach, and reacquired signal today at 15:01 CEST. 📡✅ Another milestone on the way to #Jupiter!
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 25/09/2026
A small push for @esa.int & #JAXA #BepiColombo, a giant leap towards #Mercury! 🛰️➡️🌑 Without MTM, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter is preparing for orbit insertion. Yesterday's successful thruster burn tested the propulsion system & delivered a planned 11.4 m/s trajectory correction ✅ @science.esa.int
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 23/09/2026
The ESA-JAXA Ramses planetary defence spacecraft has been turned on for the first time by its prime contractor in Italy – marking a major milestone in its time-critical development schedule: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Signal on screens seen by technicians from the partially complete Ramses spacecraft seen in a clean roomArtist's impression of the Ramses spacecraft approaching the Apophis asteroid
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 23/09/2026
Currently speeding through space at 12 km/s, ESA’s Hera spacecraft is due to reach its target Dimorphos asteroid this November. But if an astronaut were magically teleported onto Hera, what would they see & what would it happen if they let themself fall? www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Image of imaginary astronaut sat on Hera spacecraft above asteroids
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 18/09/2026
LEOP complete for @esa.int’s FLEX 💪 🛰️ Since #FLEX launched alongside #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C on 15 September, teams at #ESOC have been working around the clock to complete the spacecraft’s launch and early orbit phase (LEOP). Congratulations to all the FLEX teams and partners! 👏
FLEX mission team members Andrea Ferrari, Gerome Fastrez, Vladimir Zelenevskiy, and Isabel Dauvin stand in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) of FLEX.

Large wall-mounted displays show mission data and spacecraft imagery, while the illuminated ESA and ESOC logos and electronic status boards are visible beneath the centre’s distinctive honeycomb-patterned ceiling.
Mario Benincasa, PDGS Instrument Engineer at ESA, Aiv Engineer at ESA Francesco Sirchia, Marta De Laurentis, PDGS Subsystem Engineer at ESA, Massimo Romanazzo, Head of ESA & Third Party Missions Ground Segment Section, Alessandra Rech, ESA’s FLEX PDGS Ground Segment Manager, and Timon Hummel, ESA FLEX Mission Manager, look into the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) of FLEX.

The team members stand behind a glass wall, observing spacecraft operations displays and monitoring screens. Reflections of data screens and consoles overlay the scene.
ESA’s Flight Operations Director for FLEX, Elia Maestroni, and ESA’s Head of Earth Observation and Resilience Missions Division, Jose Morales Santiago in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) of FLEX.

Both individuals are wearing headsets sit at consoles in a control room, monitoring spacecraft operations. A sign labelled “FOD – Flight Operations Director” is visible in the foreground, while computer displays, mission data screens, and other team members can be seen through the glass-walled operations area in the background.ESA Spacecraft Operations Engineers Francis Gneba and Anne Hartmann in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) of FLEX.

Both stand behind the “ANALYST” console monitoring spacecraft operations. Reflections of screens and control-room lighting appear in the glass partition separating the operations area.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 18/09/2026
ESA's proposed Neomir spacecraft will use the infrared to spot asteroids hidden in the Sun's glare. It is a planetary defence mission but one with considerable scientific potential - as shown in this week's inaugural Neomir Science Workshop in Nice, France neomir-nice.sciencesconf.org?lang=en
Neomir science workshop participants
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 17/09/2026
After 34 intense hours, the team at @esa.int’s #ESOC completed the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C, following its launch alongside #FLEX on 15 September. Congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible. 👏 📷ESA/J.Mai
Close-up of a Sentinel‑3 mission sticker and FLEX mission sticker on a water bottle beside a small satellite model on a desk in a mission operations room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.

In the background, Franco Marchese, ESA Flight Operations Director for the Sentinel-3C LEOP, is wearing a headset works at a computer workstation, with screens and control-room equipment visible out of focus.ESA Spacecraft Operations Engineer for Sentinel-3C, Clara Di Nunzio, works at a console in a mission operations room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.

Clara’s desk features multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and system status information. Additional operators are seated at nearby workstations in the background, while the ESA logo is visible on the wall, highlighting an active mission-control environment.Two Ground Operations Managers, Pablo Asenjo Garcia and Ruddy-Herard Chatim, sit at a workstation at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.

The workstation features multiple monitors displaying spacecraft operations data and communication schedules. Laptops, consoles, and control-room equipment are arranged across the desk, while additional screens and workstations fill the background of the mission operations room.Federico Ferre, Data Handling Engineer at ESA, sits at a workstation at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.


Federico is wearing a headset works at a multi-screen workstation, monitoring spacecraft operations data, schedules, and system status displays. Printed procedures, a laptop, and several monitors are arranged across the desk, while additional operators and wall-mounted displays are visible in the background of the mission operations room.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 17/09/2026
Check out the new mission patch for Swing, ESA’s first nanosat mission dedicated to space weather ☀️⚡🛰️🌍 Swing will monitor the ionosphere, represented by a yellow band between Earth and the Sun. More on Swing: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
👩‍💻 👨‍💻 🧑‍💻 The teams at @esa.int’s #ESOC mission control will now spend around 70 hours guiding both #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C through their first days in orbit. 🛰️🛰️ For now, that’s it from us on this exciting dual launch! Congrats to all the teams involved! 🙌 📷 ESA
Wide view of the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), with members of the FLEX mission control team monitoring multiple computer displays. Large wall-mounted screens show mission data and status information, while electronic boards listing spacecraft and launch details line the room beneath the distinctive honeycomb-patterned ceiling. The illuminated ESA and ESOC logos are visible at the front of the operations room.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
🎉 🎉 @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C are in space and healthy: we don’t just have one mission, we have two! 🚀🛰️🛰️ 👏 Congratulations to the engineers, operators, flight dynamics experts, ground station teams and partners who made this remarkable dual-spacecraft launch a success.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
We hear you! @esa.int’s #FLEX spacecraft has phoned home. 📞 At 5:22 CEST, teams at #ESOC mission control acquired the first signal from the spacecraft via KSAT’s Svalbard station. 📡 We now have signal from both spacecraft in this unique dual launch. 🛰️🛰️ 📷 ESA/ATG medialab
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
Hello #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C – we hear you loud and clear! KSAT‘s Troll ground station in Antarctica has acquired the satellite's first signal from space. 📡 Telemetry is now flowing into @esa.int’s #ESOC mission control in Germany. 🛰️ 📷 ESA/ATG medialab
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
We have lift-off! 🚀 #Copernicus #Sentinel- 3C’s first signals are scheduled to arrive at #ESOC mission control via a ground antenna at KSAT’s Troll ground station in Antarctica in about 60 minutes. After that, we expect to hear from @esa.int’s #FLEX. 💪
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
It’s time! ⏰ Tune in now on ESA YouTube or watch.esa.int/two/ to follow the unique dual launch of @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C. Liftoff in appx. 25 minutes! 🚀 🛰️ 🛰️
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
📣 Go/no-go Roll Call complete! All stations are reporting green. Both mission teams at ESA's #ESOC have given their go for the launch of @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C in appx. 60 minutes. 📷 ESA
Two Ground Operations Managers, Pablo Asenjo Garcia and Chatim Ruddy-Herard, sit at a workstation with multiple monitors displaying spacecraft operations data and communication schedules. Laptops, consoles, and control-room equipment are arranged across the desk, while additional screens and workstations fill the background of the mission operations room.Walter Fiore, Spacecraft Operations Engineer for FLEX at ESA, sits at a workstation in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Walter is working on a laptop while monitoring multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and timelines. Large wall-mounted status displays and ESA branding are visible in the background, highlighting an active mission-control environment.Maria Jose Parra Ortega, Spacecraft Operations Engineer for the Copernicus Sentinel-3C at ESA, works at a control-room workstation with multiple monitors displaying spacecraft operations data and system status information. A laptop and communications equipment are arranged on the desk, while additional workstations and digital clocks are visible in the background of the mission operations room.
Vladimir Zelenevskiy, Spacecraft Operations Engineer for FLEX at ESA, works at a console in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Vladimir monitoring multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and timelines. Large wall-mounted status displays and the illuminated ESA and ESOC logos are visible in the background, highlighting an active mission-control environment during spacecraft operations.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 15/09/2026
#ESOC mission control has never been more ready. 💪 After completing key steps of the network countdown, the B shift has handed over to the A shift, now on console for the final countdown, liftoff and first signal acquisition for @esa.int's #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C. 📷 ESA/J.Mai
Large group photo of ESA’s FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel‑3C teams gathered outside a building at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Team members wearing mission polo shirts stand on steps and around the entrance, with several people in the front holding a spacecraft model and others gesturing toward it, celebrating the joint mission effort.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 14/09/2026
While #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C and @esa.int’s #FLEX missions prepare for liftoff, teams at #ESOC are performing final readiness checks with the supporting ground stations: 📡 ESA’s Kiruna station, KSAT’s Troll and Svalbard stations and SSC Space’s Alaska station. 🎥ESA
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 14/09/2026
Don't miss it – @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C are ready for liftoff tonight! 📺 Broadcast starts at 02:50 CEST. 🚀 Liftoff is scheduled for 03:21 CEST. Watch live at watch.esa.int/two/ or on ESA YouTube. 📺
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 14/09/2026
The countdown is on! The ‘Network Countdown’ for the dual launch of @esa.int's #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C has begun! Launch, communication and control facilities around the world are gearing up ahead of liftoff at 3:21 CEST. Watch live at watch.esa.int/two/ or on ESA YouTube. 📷 ESA
ESA Spacecraft Operations Engineer Francis Gneba sits at a console in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), monitoring multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and timelines. Large wall-mounted status displays and the illuminated ESA and ESOC logos are visible in the background, highlighting the active mission-control environment.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 14/09/2026
Any questions? You can ask our Hera Space Companion right now - our AI fed with approved operational, scientific and technical knowledge, making ESA’s first planetary defence mission accessible to everyone! hera.esa.int
Hera Space Companion front page
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 14/09/2026
💡Key takeaways from the new ESA 2026 Space Environment Report: long-term projections worsen drastically. Read the bite-size summary of the yearly status report on space debris and the impact of mitigation measures 👉 esa.int/Space_Safety...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 12/09/2026
Meet a key member of our Hera asteroid mission team: the Hera Space Companion, not just an AI chatbot but a dynamic communication platform, ready to answer all your questions! hera.esa.int
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 11/09/2026
How have @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C operations teams been preparing for the upcoming dual launch on 15 September? A rigorous series of launch and early orbit simulations. 🎮 Read more about how #ESOC puts two teams to the test simultaneously 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup... 📷ESA
Emilie Brannan, a Simulation Officer for Sentinel-3C at ESA, and Felix Romero Gomez, a Simulation Officer for FLEX at ESA, sit at neighbouring workstations in the Simulation Office at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre. Computer monitors displaying mission data, laptops, and control-room equipment line the desks behind them. Both Emilie and Felix are facing the camera and smiling.A team of ESA Simulation Officers gathers in the Simulation Office at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre.  

Simulation Officers pictured are Emilie Brannan (Sentinel-3C), Joe Bush (Sentinel-3C), Felix Romero Gomez (FLEX), and Gustavo Baldo Carvalho (FLEX) as well as ESA’s Ground Operations Manager for FLEX Giulio Baldo. Joe trained Gustavo, who in turn trained Emilie and Felix - representing three generations of ESA simulation officers.

The room is equipped with multiple computer workstations and large wall-mounted displays showing mission data and orbital visualisations. Several team members sit at consoles while others stand and discuss activities, creating a collaborative mission-control environment.A team of ESA Simulation Officers for FLEX in the Simulation Office at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre, including Felix Romero Gomez (FLEX) and Gustavo Baldo Carvalho (FLEX) as well as ESA’s Ground Operations Manager for FLEX Giulio Baldo. 

The officers monitor data on multiple computer screens. Gustavo leans over the console while the Giulio and Felix use headsets and radios, with laptops, keyboards, and mission planning charts spread across the desk in a busy control-room environment.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 10/09/2026
It’s almost time for a very special launch.🛰️🛰️ For the last few weeks, two mission operations teams have been gearing up for the simultaneous launch of @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C on 15 September. 📺 Tune in and watch both missions begin their journey! www.esa.int/Applications...
esa.int
Watch: FLEX and Sentinel-3C launch on Vega-C
The European Space Agency’s FLEX satellite and the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite are scheduled to launch together aboard a Vega-C rocket on 15 September at 03:21 CEST (14 September at 22:21 local t...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 10/09/2026
An asteroid killed the dinosaurs because they didn’t have a space agency – so ESA’s Hera asteroid mission has a dino mascot (also aboard the spacecraft in real life!). But our dino needs a name – that’s where you come in! www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Name the dino competition poster
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Reposted by ESA Operations
Josef Aschbacher @josefaschbacher.esa.int · 10/09/2026
Will we be passengers or pilots? Customers or service providers? Tenants or architects? At the International Space Summit, I argued that Europe must take steps now to shape its own future in space. Read my full speech 🧑‍🚀🚀 esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/corpora... #ParisSpaceSummit
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Reposted by ESA Operations
Josef Aschbacher @josefaschbacher.esa.int · 09/09/2026
Last night we brought together astronauts, ministers, industry leaders and space enthusiasts to celebrate the imagination, innovation and cooperation that define Europe's journey in space. From Earth orbit to deep space, we were reminded that today's ambitions become tomorrow's achievements.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 07/09/2026
Metre-sized meteoroid 2026 RW1 (previously known as CERNQ52) hit the ocean off NW Australia on Sunday afternoon - but the impact was forecast roughly six hours in advance, using ESA’s Meerkat automated system for predicting imminent impactors! neo.ssa.esa.int/imminent-imp...
Imminent impactor forecast
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 07/09/2026
A milestone years in the making 🎉 9.9 billion km ✅ 9 flybys ✅ MTM separation ✅ @esa.int / #JAXA 's #BepiColombo has successfully completed its 1st #Mercury arrival step! Congratulations to the teams who made it happen! 🚀 Read more here 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup... @science.esa.int
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
ACQUISITION OF SIGNAL CONFIRMED! 🎉🛰️ #BepiColombo telemetry shows the Mercury Transfer Module has successfully separated from the spacecraft stack! ✅ First step of Mercury arrival phase - complete! 👏 Next stop: Mercury orbit insertion for MPO and Mio in November! @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury
First signal after seperation from BepiColombo
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
📡 Estrack deep space antennas are in position for #BepiColombo. Cebreros ready for separation detection - check! ☑️ Malargüe ready for background tracking - check! ☑️ @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
📶Preliminary #BepiColombo Doppler separation signal detected. Initial tracking data are consistent with the planned MTM separation sequence. Now awaiting acquisition of signal at 15:53 CEST for full confirmation. @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
The #BepiColombo Mission Control Team is now checking the final telemetry received from the spacecraft during execution of MTM separation. ☑️ @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
⏳ The countdown is over. #BepiColombo's Mercury Transfer Module should have now separated from the spacecraft, a key step in the mission's journey towards orbiting #Mercury. 🛰️↔️🚀 Now expecting acquisition of signal confirming separation no earlier than 15:53 CEST. @esa.int #JAXA
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
The #BepiColombo MTM separation sequence has now started on-board, taking care of all that is needed for separation to take place. 🛰️ We'll only see this on ground about 11 min later. ⏱️ Mission teams are closely tracking system status ahead of this key milestone. 📈 @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
🚨 LIVE NOW! From ESA Mission Control The GO was given, the operation is underway, our livestream has begun. Follow along as #BepiColombo executes the MTM separation sequence and enters the next phase of its journey to #Mercury. ☀️🌑🛰️ Watch here 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7l... @esa.int #JAXA
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
🟢 GO for MTM separation. The Mission Control Team has the green light to proceed with #BepiColombo's MTM separation. ✅ The spacecraft is configured, the team is ready, and the first milestone of #Mercury arrival is underway. 🛰️ @esa.int #JAXA
The BepiColombo flight control team assembled in the Main Control Room at ESOC
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
Nearly eight years. 9.9 billion kilometres. 2 years of cumulative thrusting.☀️🌑🛰️ Today, #BepiColombo and its Mercury Transfer Module part ways. Thank you, MTM, for making the journey possible. Farewell, old friend.💙 @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 03/09/2026
Today is the day! 🎉 After 8 years, @esa.int / #JAXA's #BepiColombo begins its arrival at #Mercury! ☀️🌑🛰️ Watch MTM separation live from ESA's mission control on YouTube today at 13:45 CEST! Click here to watch 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7l...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 02/09/2026
🔥 Check out the first image of Tango’s reentry – @esa.int’s final Cluster spacecraft. But that’s not all – we caught Samba on video, too! 👉 www.esa.int/Space_Safety... 📸 ESA/ROSIE/University of Stuttgart (HEFDiG)
ESA’s Cluster Tango spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere against a dark blue sky, leaving multiple bright glowing streaks and fragments trailing behind it. The luminous trails extend diagonally across the image, illustrating the breakup of the object as it descends through the upper atmosphere.
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 02/09/2026
The mission? #BepiColombo 🛰️ The destination? #Mercury ☀️🌑 Join us live tomorrow at 13:45 CEST from ESA's mission control on YouTube as we cover the @esa.int / #JAXA mission's MTM separation! Click here to watch 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7l...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 01/09/2026
🫶 And there were none... Tango danced its final dance and reentered the atmosphere at 23:30:31 CEST. The signal from the spacecraft via Kourou was lost forever 13 minutes earlier. But once more: the airborne observation campaign has reported success - stay tuned! blogs.esa.int/rocketscienc...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 01/09/2026
🔥Samba’s reentry was recorded! There is fire streaking across the sky in this first image from the ROSIE plane campaign. Credit: ESA/ROSIE/University of Stuttgart (HEFDiG) Read more: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 01/09/2026
💃 Samba has danced its final dance and reentered the atmosphere at 23:39:38 CEST. The final signal from the spacecraft via Kourou was lost for the last time 13 minutes earlier. But, good news: the airborne observation campaign has reported success - stay tuned! blogs.esa.int/rocketscienc...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 31/08/2026
☀️💶 Just one big solar storm can cost Europe tens to hundreds of billions of euros according to the new socio-economic impact report published by the European Commission. Operational space weather services will make a critical difference. defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/study-impact...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 30/08/2026
📍🛰️🛰️ Follow the action of the final two Cluster reentries on our live blog: blogs.esa.int/rocketscienc... with regular updates over the next days! Latest news: 🙌 Samba can still communicate after passing through its last perigee & our planetary defence team is supporting with telescope observations
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 28/08/2026
🛫🟢 It's GO! The ROSIE reentry observation team readies their instruments on the plane, as they received their final go to record the reentries of the last two Cluster satellites Samba and Tango (on 31 Aug and 1 Sept). Find out more & follow along: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 27/08/2026
Mercury, here we go! ☀️🌑🛰️ Watch @esa.int / #JAXA #BepiColombo MTM separation live on 3 September and witness the first critical step in a never-before-seen planetary arrival. 💫 Click here for more info 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup... @science.esa.int
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 25/08/2026
🔥 Our Draco reentry mission will record its own fiery demise. How? Well, the answer involves a heat shield made of cork, a meticulously shaped capsule, zapping plasma through wind tunnels and parachute drop tests. Learn all about the mission's design challenges 👉 www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
The Draco capsule's heat shield is blasted by plasma in a wind tunnel to test if it can withstand reentry conditions
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