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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 5h

Trisat-S was one of six commercial and educational CubeSats launched on Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launcher in September 2026. This launch made Isar Aerospace the first European company to reach orbit with their own launch vehicle and the first company to complete ESA’s European Launcher Challenge.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 5h

What a special day! 🚀🧡

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 07/10/2026

Today, our Director, Géraldine Naja, received the WIA-Europe the Outstanding Achievement Award 🧡 This award distinguishes women with exceptional accomplishments and leadership qualities. Awards like this serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Director of ESA's Space Transportation receiving an award.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 07/10/2026

Correct, thanks for going into this, all updated on the website :)

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 07/10/2026

Target to land: 20x20 square metres. Total size of the launch pad: 40x40 square metres.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 07/10/2026

We do! And they are very important to us 🎭🧡

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 07/10/2026

As a reusable launcher, Themis is designed to touchdown on land within an area of just 20 x 20 square metres. There, robots will move towards the launcher and connect to it, draining any remaining fuel and oxidiser. Full article available here ⬇️

esa.int

Themis completes second fuelling rehearsal

ESA’s Themis reusable rocket stage demonstrator successfully completed its second ‘wet dress rehearsal’ at Esrange Space Center in Sweden on 29 September, testing the vehicle and ground procedures und...

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 07/10/2026

Second fuelling rehearsal ✅ Themis, @esa.int's reusable rocket stage demonstrator, has complete its second 'wet dress rehearsal' at Esrange Space Center in Sweden on 29 September. The rocket prototype was filled with liquid nitrogen to test the complete system.

Themis standing on its legs during second wet dress rehearsal at Esrange Space Center in Sweden.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 06/10/2026

The experiment, called Firewall, not only recorded emissions soon after launch, but continued monitoring as the released molecules interacted with the compounds present in the atmosphere, to possibly form different molecules. On the ground, other instruments also collected complementary data. 📖⬇️

esa.int

How to record rocket emissions

A research aircraft chased a sub-orbital rocket launch in Sweden to see how space agencies can better monitor and understand emissions in our atmosphere.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 06/10/2026

We teamed up with @dlr-en.bsky.social to record rocket emissions 🚀 On 1 October, DLR launched a sounding rocket called Mapheus-17. But, before liftoff, something else took off: an aircraft called Falcon 20E, which flew through the rocket plume and circled around, collecting as much data it could.

Infographic showing a rocket lifting-off and an aircraft going through the plume. Molecules appear inside a cloud.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 05/10/2026

What have we done last month? 🚀 We launched FLEX and Sentinel-3C on the same Vega-C rocket 🚀 Isar Aerospace's Spectrum launcher achieved the first launch to orbit from continental Europe September may have ended, but we keep going! www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyTn...

youtube.com

What happened this month at the European Space Agency? (September 2026)

YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA

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Reposted by ESA Space Transport

European Space Agency @esa.int · 05/10/2026

📣 Journalists are invited to attend our Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in Rome on 15 December, where ESA Member States will discuss Europe’s future in space exploration. 📰 Register by 30 October: esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Media_Invitation_ESA_Intermediate_Ministerial_Meeting #IMM26

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 01/10/2026

What happens when a satellite expends all its fuel? What if we could refuel it? ⛽️

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Reposted by ESA Space Transport

ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 30/09/2026

Inspector Smile is ready for science! 🫡 This is Smile’s first ultraviolet view showing an auroral substorm. With the ultraviolet camera now operational, Smile becomes the first spacecraft since 2008 to capture the full ring of northern lights around the north pole in ultraviolet light. 🔭 🧪 ☀️

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 01/10/2026

#LaunchedIt on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, great to see Smile delivering science after its delivery to orbit 🚀

Long-exposure view of Vega-C rocket piercing through orange-tinted clouds with the silhouettes of onlookers in the foreground. iftoff from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana was at 00:52 local time on 19 May 2026. Vega-C carried the Smile mission to space on flight VV29.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 29/09/2026

From the last glimpse of Flex and Copernicus Sentinel-3 on Earth to liftoff, this fast-paced timelapse shows moments of the VV30 launch campaign, such as: - the first Vespa+R adapter supporting the two satellites - team signatures on the rocket's nose cone - assembling the rocket on the launch pad

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Reposted by ESA Space Transport

ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 28/09/2026

A successful Earth flyby improves Juice’s course to Jupiter Earlier today, Juice flew just 8640 km above the Indian Ocean and snapped these images with its onboard monitoring cameras. 1️⃣Africa, by Juice monitoring camera 2️⃣Madagascar, by Juice NavCam 3️⃣Moon, by Juice NavCam 🔭 🧪 #planetsci

Mostly black space, most of Earth visible at the top right of the image. Part of a spacecraft visible on the left.

Part of the island of Madagascar in black and white.

A crescent Moon, with about a quarter of the Moon showing. Many craters are visible.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 29/09/2026

#LaunchedIt in 2023, nice to see Juice return for a fly by and wave on its way to Jupiter 👋

Liftoff of ESA’s interplanetary mission, Juice, on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French 09:14 local time/14:14CEST on 14 April 2023. With a large plume of orange exhaust and water vapour Juice began its eight-year journey to Jupiter, where it will study in detail the gas giant planet’s three large ocean-bearing moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. In the foreground is Ariane 5's launch tower with the ESA and Ariane branding on it.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 28/09/2026

What did you do this weekend? We had a lot of fun at @esa.int's technical heart, ESTEC. Our open days brought many space enthusiasts and rocket-lovers to our stand, we are overjoyed! Thank you so much for coming over to see us and we hope to see you next year! 🤗

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 24/09/2026

From Andøya Spaceport to orbit 🚀 Relive the second launch of Isar Aerospace's Spectrum launcher. With ten engines, Spectrum launched commercial and educational CubeSats and an experiment that aims to prove new technologies in orbit.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 23/09/2026

Rocket Factory Augsburg is getting a contract extension worth €2.7 million under our ‘Boost!’ programme. The contract extension will support the preparations for the two first flights of the RFA One launch vehicle.

Rocket Factory Augsburg team in front of their rocket on the launch pad, July 2026.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 22/09/2026

We still have some spots left for the ESTEC Open Day for people with disability 🇳🇱 Get up close to the technology we build for space missions and hear from our scientists, engineers and astronauts who make it all happen, at your own pace. It's this Saturday, 26 September from 10:00 to 14:00 ⬇️

esa.int

Join us for the ESA Open Day for people with disability at ESTEC on Saturday 26 September 2026.This is an exciting opportunity for people with disability and their carers to explore ESA's technical he...

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 17/09/2026

🎥 Credits: Photography by Manuel Pédoussaut, Stéphane Corvaja, Philippe Sebirot Directed by Manuel Pédoussaut/Zetapress Produced by Stéphane Corvaja/ESA

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 17/09/2026

From Europe's spaceport in French Guiana to orbit 🚀 #TBT This timelapse shows (quickly) the weeks of work needed to get MTG-I2 and Ariane 6 ready for liftoff. This was the ninth launch of Europe’s heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6, the first to go to as far as Geostationary Transfer Orbit.

youtube.com

From cleanroom to space: MTG-I2 satellite

YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 16/09/2026

It's like you were there! 🚀 Experience the latest Vega-C launch from all possible angles with this video ⬇️ Credits: ESA, CNES, AVIO

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Reposted by ESA Space Transport

European Space History @eurospacehistory.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#OTD 16 September 1987, launch of Ariane 3 V19 from Europe's Spaceport carrying Eutelsat-1F4 (ECS-4). The Aussat-A3 telecoms satellite also shared the ride 🛰️ 🌍️ www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA... @transport.esa.int @esa.int @esaconnectivity.esa.int

The image shows the night-time launch of an Ariane 3 rocket lifting off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Breathtaking views of flight VV30 last night. Vega-C, Europe's light-launch vehicle, took not one but two Earth observation satellites. @esaearth.esa.int's FLEX will measure plants glow from space, while Copernicus Sentinel-3C will deliver near-real-time data on our oceans, land and ice.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

First contact! Two for two delivered on today's Vega-C rocket flight #VV30 👏

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

We’ve reached the end of the line, all passengers, please leave the vehicle! FLEX has now detached from the Vespa+R adapter and is on its way to its sun-synchronous orbit.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

The fourth boost begins for Vega-C's upper stage AVUM+. This boost will set FLEX up for release into its orbit.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Flying 820 km above Earth, The Vespa+R adapter has just separated, revealing FLEX to space. The AVUM+ engine will ignite one last time to place FLEX in its precise orbit, from which it will work in tandem with Sentinel-3.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Third boost complete, all going as planned.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

The third boost of Vega-C's upper stage for tonight's flight #VV30 is underway, a boost of thirty seconds will prepare for the separation of the secondary payload adapter Vespa+R.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Flight overview for Vega-C flight VV30, next up for delivery: FLEX

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

In orbit and phoning home, satellite one of two delivered! 🚀🛰️📡🌍 #VV30

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Bye-bye, Sentinel-3C! Tonight's first payload has just left the Vega-C rocket. Have a safe trip. We can't wait to see all the data you'll collect.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Second AVUM+ boost complete, three minutes of firing have put Sentinel-3C on target for release into orbit.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Liftoff of Vega-C flight #VV30 at 03:21 CEST this morning. 50 minutes later, flying over the western coast of Australia the second boost of the Vega-C upper stage AVUM+ has started to circularise its orbit.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

The Vega-C upper stage completed its first boost of the night 17 minutes after liftoff, flying at just under 8 km/s around Earth.

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

The AVUM+ engine will keep propelling our rocket forward. With multiple ignitions, AVUM+ allows for multiple payload injection in different orbits, as well as precise orbit placing. 🎥 Arianespace

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Zefiro-9 has just separated, leaving the upper stage of Vega-C connected to the payloads. 🎥 Arianespace

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

And there you go: with the fairing separation, Sentinel-3C is now seeing space for the first time, while FLEX remains encased inside the Vespa+R adapter. 🎥 Arianespace

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ESA Space Transport @transport.esa.int · 15/09/2026

Third stage time, Zefiro-40's smaller sibling Zefiro-9 takes over. It may have only 1/4 of the propellant but that's just what is needed to reach orbit. 🎥 Arianespace

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