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
#OTD: 16 November 2022, @esa.int and NASA headed back to the #Moon together, with the launch of #Artemis I and NASA’s Orion spacecraft powered by the first European Service Module, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... #ForwardToTheMoon
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... #ForwardToTheMoon
November 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
#OTD: 16 November 2022, @esa.int and NASA headed back to the #Moon together, with the launch of #Artemis I and NASA’s Orion spacecraft powered by the first European Service Module, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... #ForwardToTheMoon
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... #ForwardToTheMoon
#OnThisDay 2️⃣5️⃣ years ago: 14 November 2000, #Portugal deposited its Instrument of Accession to the ESA Convention, making it @esa.int's 15th Member State.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
#OnThisDay 2️⃣5️⃣ years ago: 14 November 2000, #Portugal deposited its Instrument of Accession to the ESA Convention, making it @esa.int's 15th Member State.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
#OTD: 12 November 2014, @esa.int's Rosetta Philae lander made history by touching down on the surface of a comet, the first spacecraft ever to do so. The landing was confirmed at 16:03 GMT/17:03 CET 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @dlr-de.bsky.social @operations.esa.int @science.esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @dlr-de.bsky.social @operations.esa.int @science.esa.int
November 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
#OTD: 12 November 2014, @esa.int's Rosetta Philae lander made history by touching down on the surface of a comet, the first spacecraft ever to do so. The landing was confirmed at 16:03 GMT/17:03 CET 🧪🔭
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @dlr-de.bsky.social @operations.esa.int @science.esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
@cnes.fr @dlr-de.bsky.social @operations.esa.int @science.esa.int
#50YearsOfESA
#2019
Cheops was launched on 18 December 2019. ESA's 'CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite' is the first space mission dedicated to determining the sizes of known extrasolar planets, to allow estimation of their mass, density and composition.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHEOPS
@cnes.fr
#2019
Cheops was launched on 18 December 2019. ESA's 'CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite' is the first space mission dedicated to determining the sizes of known extrasolar planets, to allow estimation of their mass, density and composition.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHEOPS
@cnes.fr
November 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
#50YearsOfESA
#2019
Cheops was launched on 18 December 2019. ESA's 'CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite' is the first space mission dedicated to determining the sizes of known extrasolar planets, to allow estimation of their mass, density and composition.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHEOPS
@cnes.fr
#2019
Cheops was launched on 18 December 2019. ESA's 'CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite' is the first space mission dedicated to determining the sizes of known extrasolar planets, to allow estimation of their mass, density and composition.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHEOPS
@cnes.fr
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.
ESA's next mission to Venus, #Envision, will be launched in the 2030s to provide a complete view of the planet, from inner core to upper atmosphere, to determine how and why Venus and Earth evolved so differently.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @cmundell.esa.int @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social @esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @cmundell.esa.int @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social @esa.int
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 AM
ESA's next mission to Venus, #Envision, will be launched in the 2030s to provide a complete view of the planet, from inner core to upper atmosphere, to determine how and why Venus and Earth evolved so differently.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @cmundell.esa.int @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social @esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @cmundell.esa.int @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social @esa.int
#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
Since then, our planet has continually had at least a few humans away from home... #SpaceHistory @exploration.esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
October 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Since then, our planet has continually had at least a few humans away from home... #SpaceHistory @exploration.esa.int
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
#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
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'.
#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
#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
#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
Here are some nice shots of ARD before and after flight...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Read more about ARD: cds.cern.ch/record/41120...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Read more about ARD: cds.cern.ch/record/41120...
October 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Here are some nice shots of ARD before and after flight...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Read more about ARD: cds.cern.ch/record/41120...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Read more about ARD: cds.cern.ch/record/41120...
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
😍 Love this shot of Claudie looking out at Earth from the Space Station...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
October 21, 2025 at 8:36 AM
😍 Love this shot of Claudie looking out at Earth from the Space Station...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
#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