Josef Aschbacher
LightNews LightNews
banner
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Josef Aschbacher
@josefaschbacher.esa.int
1.7K followers 35 following 100 posts
The Director General of the European Space Agency
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Josef Aschbacher @josefaschbacher.esa.int · Jan 27
Did somebody say Bluesky?
Image of the Moon taken from the ISS by ESA Astronaut Andreas Mogensen
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Last night, we witnessed the successful launch of Sentinel-1D on an Ariane 6, a great launch for Europe a double win for ESA and its Member States. ESA delivers!
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · 6d
The #CopernicusEU Sentinel-1 mission welcomes a new member: Sentinel-1D, launched at 21:02 GMT/22:02 CET from Kourou on Ariane 6 #VA265.

www.esa.int/Applications...

@cnes.fr @euspa.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social @transport.esa.int
The Sentinel-1 mission – which provides radar vision for the Copernicus Earth observation programme – has a new addition to its family of satellites, with the arrival in orbit of Sentinel-1D, the last of the groundbreaking first generation. The launch took place at 22:02 CET (18:02 local time), on Tuesday, 4 November, on board an Ariane 6 launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
November 5, 2025 at 9:37 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
I recently signed an Implementing Arrangement between
@esa.int and the State Space Agency of Ukraine. This agreement launches our first joint projects, opening the door for Ukrainian scientists, engineers and companies to work alongside ESA Member States.
November 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Europe needs to synchronise space for defence initiatives, align competencies, avoid duplication & pool resources. We remain too fragmented to guarantee Europe with genuine, comprehensive and autonomous space resilience. We have an opportunity to change that, and we must.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
Europe turns to space to boost resilience
The role of space for security was presented at a high-level event in Brussels on Tuesday.
www.esa.int
October 29, 2025 at 9:05 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Building on its strong expertise in security and resilience, Poland is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in ESA’s European Resilience from Space initiative at ESA's Ministerial Council, a timely opportunity to reaffirm its long-term strategic commitment to European space leadership.
October 29, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Reposted by Josef Aschbacher
grandcontinent.bsky.social
Pour notre vie quotidienne, nous dépendons d’objets placés en orbite.

L’accès à l’espace est stratégique — face à la Chine et aux États-Unis, les Européens commencent à s’en rendre compte.

Nous rencontrons @josefaschbacher.esa.int, directeur de @esa.int .

legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/10/2...
Géopolitique de l’espace : entretien avec le DG de l’ESA
Pour presque tous les gestes de notre vie quotidienne, nous dépendons d’objets placés en orbite. L’accès à l’espace est stratégique — face à la Chine et aux États-Unis, les Européens commencent à s’e...
legrandcontinent.eu
October 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
🤝Cyprus joins @esa.int as an Associate Member State

www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
Cyprus joins European Space Agency as an Associate Member
The Republic of Cyprus has signed an Associate Agreement with the European Space Agency, and is expected to become an Associate Member in the coming months.  
www.esa.int
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Yesterday we opened #IAC2025 in Sydney 🐨
September 30, 2025 at 1:24 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
We stand at the threshold of a historic milestone in ESA’s cooperation with Australia, whose government announced a mandate to begin negotiations on a Cooperative Agreement with @esa.int, potentially opening up new and exciting opportunities between European and Australian space sectors.
September 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Another fully European launch carrying European missions that will carry on a legacy of crucial applications here on Earth, for Europeans. This is what @esa.int is about: space for Europe!
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · Aug 13
Liftoff of Ariane 6 flight #VA264 launching Metop-SG-A1 and Copernicus Sentinel-5A to orbit!
August 13, 2025 at 7:03 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
INVICTUS builds upon earlier ESA-led technological developments and will provide a platform for industry, agencies, and academia to trial next-generation hypersonic technologies. #UKSC2025
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · Jul 16
🚀Meet INVICTUS – Europe’s new hypersonic test platform.

We have joined forces with UK-based Frazer-Nash to kick off INVICTUS, a research programme with the goal of developing hypersonic technologies applicable to future reusable vehicles capable of horizontal launch.

▶️ esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
A sleek, futuristic aircraft soars above a sea of fluffy clouds. The aircraft features two large engines mounted atop its wings and a distinctive vertical tail fin. The sky is bright, with sunlight casting dramatic shadows across the cloud tops.
July 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by Josef Aschbacher
exploration.esa.int
🔴 LIVE: Watch @esa.int project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland return to Earth. 🇵🇱🌎

▶️ youtube.com/live/tb7wkB0...

🪂 Splashdown: 10:30 BST/11:30 CEST.
🎯 Landing target: Off the coast of California, USA.

#Ignis #Ax4
Splashdown | Ax-4 mission with Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski
YouTube video by European Space Agency, ESA
youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 8:31 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Imagine a Europe without ESA: the Universe would dimmer and less explored, we would celebrate fewer native astronauts or space scientists, and our telecommunications, navigation and weather forecasting would be dependent on foreign powers.

Flip through 50 hallmark achievements across 50 years ⤵️
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · Jun 24
ESA Delivers: discover 50 ways Europe’s space agency changed our world (and the Universe!) during the last five decades 👇

www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
Cover of ESA Delivers: 50 hallmark achievements across 50 years
June 25, 2025 at 11:59 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Italy selected @esa.int to develop the €1.1 bn IRIDE project in response to #COVID19. The 1st satellite was launched three years later, and now we have a constellation🛰️
www.esa.int/Applications...
Italy's IRIDE programme marks major step with first satellite constellation
Seven satellites have been launched for the Italian Earth observation mission, IRIDE. The satellites form part of the Hawk for Earth Observation (HEO) constellation, which carries multispectral optica...
www.esa.int
June 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Yesterday we celebrated #50YearsofESA

@esa.int's journey began fifty years ago when ten European States put pen to paper and signed the ESA Convention. Not just any document, but a legal masterpiece that would profoundly shape our continent’s future, achieving what many thought impossible.
Happy 50th birthday ESA
Yesterday was a historic day – for Europe’s space sector, for the European Space Agency, and for Europe as we celebrated ESA's 50th anniversary. ESA’s journey began not far from headquarters, in the F...
www.linkedin.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Today, at the #ParisAirShow and in the context of a changing geopolitical landscape, I met with Acting Administrator Janet Petro. ESA and NASA have a long-standing relationship, spanning not only decades but missions from the full spectrum of space activities.
June 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Full circle to inaugurate Paris Space Hub at #SalonDuBourget on a year in which ESA celebrates 50 years. Today's geopolitical uncertainties offer an opening for Europe to better position itself in space. Provided Europe stays united, we can turn a challenge into opportunity. For that we need France.
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · Jun 16
🚀 The Paris Space Hub at Salon Du Bourget is officially inaugurated!
June 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Josef Aschbacher
esa.int
We will join @cnes.fr in the ‘Paris Space Hub’ during the #SalonDuBourget taking place from 16-22 June.

Catch a glimpse of our programme for the week ➡️ esa.int/About_Us/ESA...

#ParisAirShow
Crowds at Salon du Bourget in front of a large white replica of the Ariane 5 rocket.
June 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
In today’s geopolitical environment – with increasing tensions and fragmentation, re-nationalisation, unstable economic environments, and shifting priorities – reliable collaboration is crucial. We are witnessing an unprecedented chance to mobilise for increased resiliency and autonomy.

#ESAxCanada
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · Jun 7
Our joint statement reaffirms Canada and @esa.int's unique, proven and productive partnership. This partnership supports Canada’s strategic objective to diversify its export markets and strengthen ties with like-minded international partners. #ESAxCanada🍁

www.canada.ca/en/space-age...
CSA President Lisa Campbell and European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Dr Josef Aschbacher.
June 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Josef Aschbacher
esa.int
✅ Crew, spacecraft and rocket are ready for launch.

The #Ax4 crew stands united as the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft roll out to historic pad 39A at #NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Go #Ignis 🔥🇵🇱, go @astro-slawosz.bsky.social! 👨‍🚀
June 8, 2025 at 6:55 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
It is an enormous pleasure to be in Canada this week. In today’s geopolitical and economic environment, our partnership has never been more strategically important.
#ESAxCanada🍁
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · Jun 4
For over four decades, the Canada/ESA Cooperation Agreement has led to mutually beneficial activities in a wide range of space activities. From protecting our planet, exploring our Universe, to enhancing our autonomies and resilience, ESA and Canada have been friends a long time, eh? #ESAxCanada🍁
Canadian flag, also known as the Maple Leaf Flag, is a red flag with a white square in the centre featuring a red, 11-pointed stylised maple leaf.
June 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” - Sir Isaac Newton

#50yearsofESA
esa.int European Space Agency @esa.int · May 30
🎉 #50YearsOfESA: for half a century, we've been serving Europe as its space agency and inspiring its citizens. Join us this anniversary year to reflect not only on our past achievements, but also on our future perspectives!
May 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Josef Aschbacher
esa.int
🇨🇭Today we inaugurated the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) – the first @esa.int presence in Switzerland. The inauguration of ESDI is a testimonial to ESA’s and Switzerland’s joint commitment to push innovation and drive economic growth. @psich.bsky.social
Inauguration of the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) – first ESA presence in Switzerland
The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), the first ESA presence in Switzerland, created in close collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Inst...
www.esa.int
May 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Significant progress has been made by the ESA-European Comission task force on a future Earth Observation Government Service with the ESA Resilience from Space programme as a first implementation step for our November Ministerial Meeting: #CM25.
ESA DG Josef Aschbacher shakes hands with EC Commissoner Andrius Kubilius
May 20, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by Josef Aschbacher
esa.int
🔭🚀 We will be present at the 55th edition of International Paris Air Show, taking place on 16-22 June at Le Bourget airport.

Here we celebrate 50 years of advancing space for Europe, as well as highlighting our vision for the future, ESA’s Strategy 2040.

Find out more ➡️ esa.int/About_Us/Exh...
Public walking around a concrete floor with several white rockets in the background.
May 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
josefaschbacher.esa.int
Today, in the context of #GLEX2025, @esa.int signed a Joint Statement of Intent on Human Exploration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

esa.int/Newsroom/Pre...
May 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM