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ESA Exploration
@exploration.esa.int
Sharing news on Europe's human and robotic exploration, from astronaut training to the next giant leap to the Moon and Mars.
Reposted by ESA Exploration
#εpsilon launch update: because of weather, Thursday’s launch for @soph-astro.esa.int and #Crew12 has been postponed no earlier than Friday 13 February. Liftoff is now set for 10:15 GMT/11:15 CET.

@cnes.fr @exploration.esa.int @fr.esa.int
February 10, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by ESA Exploration
#εpsilon launch update: because of weather, Wednesday’s launch for @soph-astro.esa.int and #Crew12 has been postponed no earlier than Thursday 12 February. Liftoff is now set for 10:38 GMT/11:38 CET.

@exploration.esa.int @cnes.fr @fr.esa.int
February 9, 2026 at 4:33 PM
🚀 Your go-to guide for #Crew12 and #εpsilon, @esa.int's latest mission to orbit, featuring Sophie Adenot, is fresh off the press 👇

🇬🇧 English: esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/HRE/EPS...
🇫🇷 French version, updated with new launch date, coming up soon.
February 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
🔴 Live in 30 minutes!
#Crew12 #εpsilon
Ahead of the launch of #Crew12, NET 11 February, do not miss these 2 live events:

👉 Crew-12 virtual media event with @esa.int's Sophie Adenot and her crewmates Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Andrei Fedyaev.

📅 Sunday 8 February
🕠 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET (11:00 ET)

🔗 www.youtube.com/nasa
February 8, 2026 at 3:31 PM
In case you missed it: ✈ #Crew12 landed on Friday evening at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where they will remain in quarantine in the Astronaut Crew Quarters until launch.

@esa.int astronaut Sophie Adenot 🇫🇷 and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir were all smiles!

📷 ESA – S. Corvaja
February 8, 2026 at 9:29 AM
One of the engines of Space Shuttle Atlantis is right now on Launch Complex 39-B, in @esa.int's European Service Module, ready to launch on #Artemis in March.
February 8, 2026 at 9:25 AM
If you are up for deeper relaxation and wonder, here is a longer version with stunning timelapses.

▶️ www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Ignis mission timelapses: Earth and Moon views from the International Space Station
www.esa.int
February 8, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Sweet 16 🤩

🚀 Sixteen years ago today, the largest space window was on its way to the International Space Station aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour.

🌍 Enjoy the views from Europe's bay window onto Earth.

📸 @esa.int/ @astro-slawosz.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Happy launch anniversary, Columbus! 🥳

18 years ago today, @esa.int's Columbus laboratory ascended to orbit, nestled in Space Shuttle Atlantis.

This engineering & scientific marvel became the first permanent European research facility in space.

102 000 + orbits later: www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
Columbus: 100 000 orbits and counting
Today, the Columbus laboratory aboard the International Space Station completes its 100 000th orbit around Earth—a remarkable achievement for Europe’s science module in space. Since its...
www.esa.int
February 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
👉 Prelaunch news conference with Andreas Mogensen, Human Exploration Group Leader at @esa.int and representatives from NASA and SpaceX.

📅 Monday 9 February
🕠 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET (11:00 ET)

🔗 www.youtube.com/live/I12pFrH...
February 7, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Ahead of the launch of #Crew12, NET 11 February, do not miss these 2 live events:

👉 Crew-12 virtual media event with @esa.int's Sophie Adenot and her crewmates Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Andrei Fedyaev.

📅 Sunday 8 February
🕠 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET (11:00 ET)

🔗 www.youtube.com/nasa
February 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Final Readiness Review: ✅

A crew of four, including @esa.int's Sophie Adenot, is getting ready for launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NET 11 February.

Get the latest on quarantine and what to expect on launch day!
🔗 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

#Crew12 #εpsilon
Crew-12 readies for launch
Crew-12 is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, no earlier than Wednesday 11 February. 
www.esa.int
February 7, 2026 at 2:06 PM
🎥 @esa.int astronaut Sophie Adenot's journey to the international Space Station with #Crew12 and #εpsilon will soon begin!

Catch up on the journey so far – and feel the thrill of what’s to come: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey01...
Sophie Adenot ready for first space mission | εpsilon mission
YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:46 AM
⏰ Launch -6 days! @esa.int astronaut
Sophie Adenot will lift off with #Crew12 NET than next 11 February! 🚀
In the meantime, why not dive into her inspiring journey to space? 🎧

Check out this #ESAExplores podcast episode recorded in November 2023:
🎙️ podbean.com/ew/pb-q95nb-...

📷 Credit: SpaceX
February 5, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by ESA Exploration
Hop on board Mars Express, for a flight over Flaugergues Crater.

Be sure to turn up the volume for the audio guide 🔊

More info, images and a map showing the route of the video 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

🔭🧪
February 4, 2026 at 10:01 AM
🛰️ Fast downloads from space!

📶 European researchers get home broadband speeds from International Space Station experiments thanks to the ColKa antenna.

📡 Five years on since its installation on @esa.int's Columbus lab, it keeps delivering science and more.

www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Fast download speeds for European science in space, five years on
Columbus KA-band antenna installation
www.esa.int
February 4, 2026 at 9:52 AM
🚀 #ArtemisII update: the mission is moving to March.
Launch opportunities in Central European Time (CET)⏰🌍
🗓️ 7 Mar 02:29
🗓️ 8 Mar 02:57
🗓️ 9 Mar 04:56
🗓️ 10 Mar 04:52
🗓️ 11 Mar 05:48
Set those alarms, Europe 🌙☕

📸: ESA-M. Born
February 3, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by ESA Exploration
#ArtemisII update: NASA completed the wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II early this morning. To allow teams to review data and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal, NASA will now target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the mission. @exploration.esa.int
NASA Conducts Artemis II Fuel Test, Eyes March for Launch Opportunity   - NASA
NASA concluded a wet dress rehearsal for the agency’s Artemis II test flight early Tuesday morning, successfully loading cryogenic propellant into the SLS
www.nasa.gov
February 3, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by ESA Exploration
#ArtemisII update: the wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II is under way. The test began at 14:13 CET on 31 January and is expected to last until approx. 07:00 CET on 3 February.
Wet Dress Rehearsal Countdown Progressing for Artemis II - NASA
NASA continues to press ahead through the countdown for the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal – a fueling test of the SLS (Space Launch System)
go.nasa.gov
February 2, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Out of Mars, lost in space.

A new study reveals how some water disappeared from the Red Planet. The culprit: a rare, intense dust storm driving water vapour 80 kilometres up into the martian atmosphere.

blogs.esa.int/to-mars-and-...
February 2, 2026 at 11:58 AM
👩‍🚀 "I remember the launch of Claudie Haigneré very well. I was 14 years old, and that day something clicked in my mind. She was the first French woman to fly to space and she inspired me to think, 'Why not me?,'" says @esa.int astronaut Sophie Adenot during the #Crew12 news conference.

#εpsilon
January 30, 2026 at 6:46 PM
🔴 Live now: the final press conference featuring @esa.int astronaut Sophie Adenot as Crew‑12 gears up for a nine‑month stay on the International Space Station. #Crew12 #εpsilon
www.youtube.com/live/6f-rlnU...

🔗 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Flight Crew News Conference (Jan. 30, 2026)
YouTube video by NASA
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:01 PM
January 30, 2026 at 4:02 PM