European Space History
@eurospacehistory.bsky.social
Enjoying the history of the European space adventure. Continuing from @ESA_History on X
See our other channels: https://linktr.ee/european_space_history
See our other channels: https://linktr.ee/european_space_history
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This year, 2025, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of #ESA, the European Space Agency. To mark this, every week for the next 50 weeks, we're going to post an image of a key event or project for each of the 50 years of ESA's history! Here comes #50YearsOfESA!
Reposted by European Space History
What lasted 18 years but was only meant for 7?
Marecs B2, launched #OTD in 1984 on an Ariane 3! 🛰️
One of Europe’s first telecom satellites, keeping ships connected with alerts, forecasts and news.🚢
A true overachiever in space history🌍
@eurospacehistory.bsky.social #ESAarchives
Marecs B2, launched #OTD in 1984 on an Ariane 3! 🛰️
One of Europe’s first telecom satellites, keeping ships connected with alerts, forecasts and news.🚢
A true overachiever in space history🌍
@eurospacehistory.bsky.social #ESAarchives
November 10, 2025 at 10:05 AM
What lasted 18 years but was only meant for 7?
Marecs B2, launched #OTD in 1984 on an Ariane 3! 🛰️
One of Europe’s first telecom satellites, keeping ships connected with alerts, forecasts and news.🚢
A true overachiever in space history🌍
@eurospacehistory.bsky.social #ESAarchives
Marecs B2, launched #OTD in 1984 on an Ariane 3! 🛰️
One of Europe’s first telecom satellites, keeping ships connected with alerts, forecasts and news.🚢
A true overachiever in space history🌍
@eurospacehistory.bsky.social #ESAarchives
Reposted by European Space History
The first surviving successful image of Jupiter was taken in 1879 by Andrew Ainslie Common in Ealing, London, using his 36-inch Newtonian reflector and the wet collodion process invented in 1851 by portrait photographer Frederick Scott Archer
November 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
The first surviving successful image of Jupiter was taken in 1879 by Andrew Ainslie Common in Ealing, London, using his 36-inch Newtonian reflector and the wet collodion process invented in 1851 by portrait photographer Frederick Scott Archer
The #ESAarchives Object of the Month for November is about the space connections between present and past in the German city of Bremen. While this month it plays host to ESA Ministerial Council meeting (CM25), almost 50 years ago it played an important role in one of ESA's first flagship projects.
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The #ESAarchives Object of the Month for November is about the space connections between present and past in the German city of Bremen. While this month it plays host to ESA Ministerial Council meeting (CM25), almost 50 years ago it played an important role in one of ESA's first flagship projects.
#OTD 2️⃣0️⃣ years ago: 9 November 2005, launch of ESA's Venus Express, Europe's first spacecraft to #Venus. The mission ended in 2014 after eight years of operation around our nearest planetary neighbour 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int @operations.esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int @operations.esa.int
November 9, 2025 at 11:13 AM
#OTD 2️⃣0️⃣ years ago: 9 November 2005, launch of ESA's Venus Express, Europe's first spacecraft to #Venus. The mission ended in 2014 after eight years of operation around our nearest planetary neighbour 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int @operations.esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int @operations.esa.int
#50YearsOfESA
#2018
BepiColombo was launched on 20 October 2018, on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It's a joint ESA/JAXA mission to study Mercury, now on an eight-year journey with arrival in orbit expected in late 2026.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int
#2018
BepiColombo was launched on 20 October 2018, on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It's a joint ESA/JAXA mission to study Mercury, now on an eight-year journey with arrival in orbit expected in late 2026.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
#50YearsOfESA
#2018
BepiColombo was launched on 20 October 2018, on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It's a joint ESA/JAXA mission to study Mercury, now on an eight-year journey with arrival in orbit expected in late 2026.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int
#2018
BepiColombo was launched on 20 October 2018, on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. It's a joint ESA/JAXA mission to study Mercury, now on an eight-year journey with arrival in orbit expected in late 2026.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @science.esa.int
#50YearsOfESA
#2017
#Copernicus Sentinel-5P ('Precursor') was launched on 13 October 2017, the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere, carrying the state-of-the-art TROPOMI instrument to map a range of trace gases & aerosols.
www.esa.int/Applications... @euspa.bsky.social
#2017
#Copernicus Sentinel-5P ('Precursor') was launched on 13 October 2017, the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere, carrying the state-of-the-art TROPOMI instrument to map a range of trace gases & aerosols.
www.esa.int/Applications... @euspa.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
#50YearsOfESA
#2017
#Copernicus Sentinel-5P ('Precursor') was launched on 13 October 2017, the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere, carrying the state-of-the-art TROPOMI instrument to map a range of trace gases & aerosols.
www.esa.int/Applications... @euspa.bsky.social
#2017
#Copernicus Sentinel-5P ('Precursor') was launched on 13 October 2017, the first Copernicus mission dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere, carrying the state-of-the-art TROPOMI instrument to map a range of trace gases & aerosols.
www.esa.int/Applications... @euspa.bsky.social
#OTD 🔟F years ago: 4 November 2015, #Hungary became ESA’s 22nd Member State when it deposited its instrument of ratification of the ESA Convention in Paris. #50YearsOfESA
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
November 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
#OTD 🔟F years ago: 4 November 2015, #Hungary became ESA’s 22nd Member State when it deposited its instrument of ratification of the ESA Convention in Paris. #50YearsOfESA
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
#OTD: 3 November 1994, launch of French ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy 🇫🇷 on STS-66 #Discovery. This was the first of three spaceflights for Jean-François, during this mission he logged 62 hours and 34 minutes in space over 175 Earth orbits 🧪
@fr.esa.int @cnes.fr @soph-astro.esa.int
@fr.esa.int @cnes.fr @soph-astro.esa.int
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
#OTD: 3 November 1994, launch of French ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy 🇫🇷 on STS-66 #Discovery. This was the first of three spaceflights for Jean-François, during this mission he logged 62 hours and 34 minutes in space over 175 Earth orbits 🧪
@fr.esa.int @cnes.fr @soph-astro.esa.int
@fr.esa.int @cnes.fr @soph-astro.esa.int
Reposted by European Space History
Exactly 25 years ago, at 09:21 UTC, the era of continuous human presence on the International @Space_Station began.
Since Crew One took up residence in 2000, 21 @esa.int astronauts have lived and worked on this orbital outpost, conducting essential research to benefit life on Earth.
Since Crew One took up residence in 2000, 21 @esa.int astronauts have lived and worked on this orbital outpost, conducting essential research to benefit life on Earth.
November 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Exactly 25 years ago, at 09:21 UTC, the era of continuous human presence on the International @Space_Station began.
Since Crew One took up residence in 2000, 21 @esa.int astronauts have lived and worked on this orbital outpost, conducting essential research to benefit life on Earth.
Since Crew One took up residence in 2000, 21 @esa.int astronauts have lived and worked on this orbital outpost, conducting essential research to benefit life on Earth.
#OTD 2️⃣5️⃣ years ago: 31 October 2000, launch of Expedition 1 and the first permanent crew to the International Space Station 🚀
Anyone born after this date has never known a day without a human presence in space... 🎂
Anyone born after this date has never known a day without a human presence in space... 🎂
October 31, 2025 at 11:52 AM
#OTD 2️⃣5️⃣ years ago: 31 October 2000, launch of Expedition 1 and the first permanent crew to the International Space Station 🚀
Anyone born after this date has never known a day without a human presence in space... 🎂
Anyone born after this date has never known a day without a human presence in space... 🎂
The latest #ESAarchives article on the history of preservation reveals some of the more bizarre things they've found in shipments (😮🤭) and explains how colleagues and users can play a part in appraising and accessing material.
historicalarchives.esa.int/brief-histor... @eui-euarchives.bsky.social
historicalarchives.esa.int/brief-histor... @eui-euarchives.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The latest #ESAarchives article on the history of preservation reveals some of the more bizarre things they've found in shipments (😮🤭) and explains how colleagues and users can play a part in appraising and accessing material.
historicalarchives.esa.int/brief-histor... @eui-euarchives.bsky.social
historicalarchives.esa.int/brief-histor... @eui-euarchives.bsky.social
Reposted by European Space History
👨🚀 40 years ago today, Wubbo Ockels became the first Dutch astronaut 🇳🇱
🚀 During his mission, Spacelab-D1, he orbited Earth 110 times over 168 hours 🌍 and performed over 75 experiments with his crew 🧪, controlled from the German Space Operations Centre for the first time in space history.
🚀 During his mission, Spacelab-D1, he orbited Earth 110 times over 168 hours 🌍 and performed over 75 experiments with his crew 🧪, controlled from the German Space Operations Centre for the first time in space history.
October 30, 2025 at 9:21 AM
👨🚀 40 years ago today, Wubbo Ockels became the first Dutch astronaut 🇳🇱
🚀 During his mission, Spacelab-D1, he orbited Earth 110 times over 168 hours 🌍 and performed over 75 experiments with his crew 🧪, controlled from the German Space Operations Centre for the first time in space history.
🚀 During his mission, Spacelab-D1, he orbited Earth 110 times over 168 hours 🌍 and performed over 75 experiments with his crew 🧪, controlled from the German Space Operations Centre for the first time in space history.
On 30 October 1985, Wubbo Ockels (1946–2014) became the first Dutch citizen to travel into space.
40 years later, SPACE EXPO in Noordwijk is celebrating this historic milestone with a new exhibition, 'Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth'.
40 years later, SPACE EXPO in Noordwijk is celebrating this historic milestone with a new exhibition, 'Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth'.
October 29, 2025 at 9:46 PM
On 30 October 1985, Wubbo Ockels (1946–2014) became the first Dutch citizen to travel into space.
40 years later, SPACE EXPO in Noordwijk is celebrating this historic milestone with a new exhibition, 'Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth'.
40 years later, SPACE EXPO in Noordwijk is celebrating this historic milestone with a new exhibition, 'Wubbo Ockels: Astronaut of Spaceship Earth'.
Reposted by European Space History
Congratulations to Federica Giaccio and Nicolas Leroy, recipients of the 2025 ESA Postgraduate Research Grant at the HAEU.
Funded by @esa.int, the grants support new research on Europe’s path to space cooperation and autonomy.
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/3OMmROI
Funded by @esa.int, the grants support new research on Europe’s path to space cooperation and autonomy.
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/3OMmROI
New research on the horizon thanks to European Space Agency grants
Federica Giaccio and Nicolas Leroy have been awarded grants to conduct archival research in the European Space Agency fonds at the Historical Archives of the
www.eui.eu
October 28, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Congratulations to Federica Giaccio and Nicolas Leroy, recipients of the 2025 ESA Postgraduate Research Grant at the HAEU.
Funded by @esa.int, the grants support new research on Europe’s path to space cooperation and autonomy.
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/3OMmROI
Funded by @esa.int, the grants support new research on Europe’s path to space cooperation and autonomy.
Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/3OMmROI
#OTD 23 October 1979, Sting, Andy Summers and Stu Copeland, AKA #ThePolice, filmed their 'Walking On The Moon' video at NASA Kennedy Space Center. According to #NASAhistory, Stu Copeland is the only human known to have drummed on a Saturn V! youtu.be/zPwMdZOlPo8
October 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
#OTD 23 October 1979, Sting, Andy Summers and Stu Copeland, AKA #ThePolice, filmed their 'Walking On The Moon' video at NASA Kennedy Space Center. According to #NASAhistory, Stu Copeland is the only human known to have drummed on a Saturn V! youtu.be/zPwMdZOlPo8
Reposted by European Space History
🗓️ Coming soon! The untold story of our pioneering 25-year #Cluster mission that studied the invisible solar storms impacting our Earth 🧪🔭
☀️ 'Seas of the Sun: The story of Cluster', a documentary by @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social and @science.esa.int, will premiere here, 30 October, 19:00 CET 👇
☀️ 'Seas of the Sun: The story of Cluster', a documentary by @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social and @science.esa.int, will premiere here, 30 October, 19:00 CET 👇
Seas of the Sun: The story of Cluster (Full documentary)
YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:22 AM
🗓️ Coming soon! The untold story of our pioneering 25-year #Cluster mission that studied the invisible solar storms impacting our Earth 🧪🔭
☀️ 'Seas of the Sun: The story of Cluster', a documentary by @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social and @science.esa.int, will premiere here, 30 October, 19:00 CET 👇
☀️ 'Seas of the Sun: The story of Cluster', a documentary by @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social and @science.esa.int, will premiere here, 30 October, 19:00 CET 👇
#OTD: 22 October 2001, ESA's #Proba-1 technology demonstration satellite was launched on India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Originally designed as a two-year mission, it is still going strong today! 🧪🌍
www.esa.int/Applications... @esaearth.esa.int @technology.esa.int
www.esa.int/Applications... @esaearth.esa.int @technology.esa.int
October 22, 2025 at 10:22 AM
#OTD: 22 October 2001, ESA's #Proba-1 technology demonstration satellite was launched on India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Originally designed as a two-year mission, it is still going strong today! 🧪🌍
www.esa.int/Applications... @esaearth.esa.int @technology.esa.int
www.esa.int/Applications... @esaearth.esa.int @technology.esa.int
#OTD 22 October 1977, launch of ESA's #ISEE-2 spacecraft, on a Delta 2914 rocket from Cape Canaveral along with NASA's #ISEE-1, to study Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind. 🧪🔭
👉 eoportal.org/satellite-mi... @esa.int @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
👉 eoportal.org/satellite-mi... @esa.int @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
October 22, 2025 at 9:51 AM
#OTD 22 October 1977, launch of ESA's #ISEE-2 spacecraft, on a Delta 2914 rocket from Cape Canaveral along with NASA's #ISEE-1, to study Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind. 🧪🔭
👉 eoportal.org/satellite-mi... @esa.int @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
👉 eoportal.org/satellite-mi... @esa.int @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
Reposted by European Space History
FILM ALERT! Seas of the Sun – The Story of the Cluster Mission. You can watch it live on @esa.int's Youtube channel next week, October 30th, from 18:00 GMT / 19:00 CET where we’ll be joined by the people behind Cluster in a live chat accompanying the film.
#ESAcluster #spacerocks #seasofthesun
#ESAcluster #spacerocks #seasofthesun
October 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
FILM ALERT! Seas of the Sun – The Story of the Cluster Mission. You can watch it live on @esa.int's Youtube channel next week, October 30th, from 18:00 GMT / 19:00 CET where we’ll be joined by the people behind Cluster in a live chat accompanying the film.
#ESAcluster #spacerocks #seasofthesun
#ESAcluster #spacerocks #seasofthesun
#OTD 21 October 2011, the first pair of European #Galileo navigation satellites was launched on the historic first Arianespace flight of a Soyuz from Kourou, French Guiana.
www.flickr.com/photos/esa_e... @euspa.bsky.social @navigation.esa.int @cnes.fr
www.flickr.com/photos/esa_e... @euspa.bsky.social @navigation.esa.int @cnes.fr
October 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
#OTD 21 October 2011, the first pair of European #Galileo navigation satellites was launched on the historic first Arianespace flight of a Soyuz from Kourou, French Guiana.
www.flickr.com/photos/esa_e... @euspa.bsky.social @navigation.esa.int @cnes.fr
www.flickr.com/photos/esa_e... @euspa.bsky.social @navigation.esa.int @cnes.fr
And because it's also #BackToTheFuture Day😉
#OTD 21 October 1998, launch of the Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) on Ariane 5 V112. For the first time, @esa.int flies a complete space mission – launching a vehicle into space and recovering it safely.
@transport.esa.int @exploration.esa.int
#OTD 21 October 1998, launch of the Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) on Ariane 5 V112. For the first time, @esa.int flies a complete space mission – launching a vehicle into space and recovering it safely.
@transport.esa.int @exploration.esa.int
October 21, 2025 at 9:05 AM
And because it's also #BackToTheFuture Day😉
#OTD 21 October 1998, launch of the Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) on Ariane 5 V112. For the first time, @esa.int flies a complete space mission – launching a vehicle into space and recovering it safely.
@transport.esa.int @exploration.esa.int
#OTD 21 October 1998, launch of the Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) on Ariane 5 V112. For the first time, @esa.int flies a complete space mission – launching a vehicle into space and recovering it safely.
@transport.esa.int @exploration.esa.int
#OTD 21 October 2001, ESA astronaut Claudie Haigneré became the first European (and first 🇫🇷) woman to visit International Space Station on her #Andromède mission.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @fr.esa.int @museeairespace.bsky.social @citedelespace.bsky.social @cieletespace.bsky.social
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @fr.esa.int @museeairespace.bsky.social @citedelespace.bsky.social @cieletespace.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
#OTD 21 October 2001, ESA astronaut Claudie Haigneré became the first European (and first 🇫🇷) woman to visit International Space Station on her #Andromède mission.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @fr.esa.int @museeairespace.bsky.social @citedelespace.bsky.social @cieletespace.bsky.social
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @fr.esa.int @museeairespace.bsky.social @citedelespace.bsky.social @cieletespace.bsky.social
#OTD 20 October 2018, launch of ESA/JAXA #BepiColombo
on Ariane 5 #VA245 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou on its seven-year journey to #Mercury 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @esa.int @cnes.fr @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
on Ariane 5 #VA245 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou on its seven-year journey to #Mercury 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @esa.int @cnes.fr @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
October 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
#OTD 20 October 2018, launch of ESA/JAXA #BepiColombo
on Ariane 5 #VA245 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou on its seven-year journey to #Mercury 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @esa.int @cnes.fr @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
on Ariane 5 #VA245 from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou on its seven-year journey to #Mercury 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @esa.int @cnes.fr @science.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
#OTD 20 October 1995, Thomas Reiter performed the first spacewalk by an @esa.int astronaut (and a German citizen) during the EuroMir '95 mission. The EVA lasted 5h 11m.
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @exploration.esa.int @de.esa.int @dlr-spaceagency.bsky.social
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @exploration.esa.int @de.esa.int @dlr-spaceagency.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
#OTD 20 October 1995, Thomas Reiter performed the first spacewalk by an @esa.int astronaut (and a German citizen) during the EuroMir '95 mission. The EVA lasted 5h 11m.
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @exploration.esa.int @de.esa.int @dlr-spaceagency.bsky.social
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... @exploration.esa.int @de.esa.int @dlr-spaceagency.bsky.social
#OTD: 19 October 2006, MetOp-A, Europe's first polar-orbiting meteorological satellite was launched. MetOp-A was in operation for 15 years, three times longer than planned.
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESO... @eumetsat.int @esa.int @esaearth.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESO... @eumetsat.int @esa.int @esaearth.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
October 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
#OTD: 19 October 2006, MetOp-A, Europe's first polar-orbiting meteorological satellite was launched. MetOp-A was in operation for 15 years, three times longer than planned.
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESO... @eumetsat.int @esa.int @esaearth.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History
www.esa.int/About_Us/ESO... @eumetsat.int @esa.int @esaearth.esa.int #SpaceHistory #Space #History