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technology.esa.int
ESA Technology
@technology.esa.int
3.7K followers 60 following 110 posts
Follow the latest news, developments and new technologies from the European Space Agency's R&D Directorate
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technology.esa.int
🔧 Testing space metal 🤘

In February, @esa.int’s engineers received a very special package 📦 Inside was the first metal part 3D-printed in space, coming all the way from the ISS 🛰️ Since the unboxing, the space metal has been through A LOT 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Inspecting the first ever metal part 3D-printed in space Inspecting the first ever metal part 3D-printed in space Testing the first ever metal part 3D-printed in space
November 13, 2025 at 1:09 PM
technology.esa.int
🏠🌕 To live on the Moon or Mars, we would need technologies that can use local resources to create materials essential for our survival. The University of Bremen explored if the unique conditions of space itself could help us with this 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Made in microgravity – catalysts for life in space
To sustain a human presence on the Moon or Mars, we need to develop technologies that can use local resources like water to produce oxygen and hydrogen that can be used as fuels and for life support. ...
www.esa.int
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
technology.esa.int
🛰️ Our current radio frequency ‘highways’ that carry information to and from satellites are getting congested.
📡 @thalesaleniaspace.bsky.social develops key building blocks for next-generation antennas operating at a very special frequency that can offer more bandwidth 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
An essential building block for phased array antennas
November 11, 2025 at 8:59 AM
technology.esa.int
Booooo!! 👻 It’s #SpookySeason!

Can you guess what's making this candle's flame flicker? 🕯️

Is it...

a) ghost
b) microgravity

We know it’s tricky, so we’re treating you to the answer 🎃 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...

Happy #Halloween! 🦇
October 31, 2025 at 9:08 AM
technology.esa.int
What if Old McDonald had a farm… on the Moon? 🚜 🌕

In a recent activity supported by @esa.int, a Norwegian research team looked into how we could create fertiliser using nutrients from lunar soil to grow plants on the Moon 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
What farming on the Moon could look like
October 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
technology.esa.int
🛰️ @esa.int’s first stand-alone deep-space CubeSat #Henon takes shape!

⚡A tailor-made propulsion system will take this small but mighty satellite into an orbit around the Sun, where the CubeSat will detect solar storms, improving our current warning time ☀️ www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
ESA's upcoming Henon CubeSat mission Henon's new propulsion system Henon's orbit
October 29, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by ESA Technology
esa.int
#MediaInvitation: journalists are invited to an information session after the ESA Council meeting this week. The briefing starts at 15:00 BST/16:00 CEST, 23 October. Details and registration 👇
www.esa.int/Newsroom/Pre...
@josefaschbacher.esa.int @krpoun.bsky.social
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher
October 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
technology.esa.int
#OnThisDay 30 years ago - 20 October 1995 - ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter performed the first ESA spacewalk, during his Euromir mission to the Mir space station 🧑‍🚀🚶

Check out our ESA Delivers brochure for ESA's 50 milestone achievements during our first half century 👉 www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
October 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
technology.esa.int
🌏@esa.int’s upcoming FORUM mission will address a major gap in climate monitoring by measuring Earth’s outgoing radiation 📏

🔧⚙️ To make its ambitious goal possible, scientists from the National Metrology Institute of Germany PTB have calibrated a very important device 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
PTB's reference blackbody in a vacuum chamber PTB's new reference blackbody
October 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by ESA Technology
operations.esa.int
Happy launch anniversary to ESA's Hera mission! 🎂🥳

One year ago ESA's first planetary defence mission was stranded on Earth, its launcher grounded, as a hurricane closed in on its launch site. What a difference a year makes! www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Hera’s first year in space
www.esa.int
October 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
technology.esa.int
🛰️🖥️ Training new operators for the Large Space Simulator, Europe’s largest vacuum chamber, used to be tricky… but not anymore! The simulator recently got a digital twin - a very realistic virtual model - which will serve as a training tool and much more 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
The cavernous chamber of the Large Space Simulator
October 7, 2025 at 9:11 AM
technology.esa.int
🔴Moving around on Mars is tricky - its surface can be too rocky for a rover in one place, and too smooth for the navigation of a drone in another😬 During his internship with @esa.int, a robotics student investigated what would happen if a rover and a drone teamed up 🤖 🫱🏽‍🫲🏻 🚁 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
TU Delft student Dielof van Loon and his drone
September 24, 2025 at 8:17 AM
technology.esa.int
📍🌕 Landing a spacecraft on the Moon with pinpoint precision while relying on ground-based tracking systems is complex and costly. A recent PhD project, co-funded by @esa.int, @dlr-en.bsky.social and OHB explored how we could teach spacecraft to find their own way 🧭🛰️ 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Future of navigation R&D
September 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
technology.esa.int
💪🏼🦴 Muscle weakening and bone density loss – side effects of microgravity bear many similarities to ageing 🚀👵🏽 A student from TU Delft and VU Amsterdam compared effects of ageing with those of altered gravity from a cellular perspective during her internship at @esa.int 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
A cell’s-eye view of altered gravity and ageing
Muscle weakening, bone density loss and an impaired immune system: the systemic health impacts of spaceflight bear many similarities to ageing. Sharon van Rijthoven, a student from Delft University of...
www.esa.int
September 16, 2025 at 9:15 AM
technology.esa.int
Welcome to ESTEC, Plato 👋 Good luck with all your tests! 🤞
science.esa.int ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · Sep 11
Welcome, Plato! 🤗

On 1 September, the spacecraft arrived in the Netherlands by boat from Germany via the Rhine River.

In the coming weeks, engineers will add the sunshield & solar arrays and carry out tests to confirm Plato is ready for launch 🚀
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

🔭 #Exoplanets
A large cargo ship named VAARWEL, painted in blue and white, is sailing through a canal. The ship has a flag at its front and is passing under an open drawbridge in the background. The canal is lined with trees on both sides, and the sky above is bright blue with scattered white clouds. A few people are visible on the bridge and near the water’s edge. In the foreground, at the bottom right, a small boat with a single person inside floats near the ship. A large green truck from Kübler Spedition is transporting a massive container wrapped in a protective tarp. The container displays several logos and text, including the logo of the European Space Agency (ESA), indicating it is part of a specialised transport operation. In the background, there is an industrial building with large metal silos under a blue sky. In a cleanroom environment, two individuals wearing blue lab coats and hairnets are working around a large spacecraft. The spacecraft is covered in protective plastic sheeting and mounted on a white transport platform labelled with technical instructions. In a cleanroom environment, a group of engineers wearing protective coats, gloves, and face masks are working on a large spacecraft component. The component is mounted on a white wheeled platform. The top of the spacecraft carries 26 cylindrical cameras. The workspace is surrounded by structural supports and white fabric walls, creating a clean and controlled environment.
September 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
technology.esa.int
🚨 Breaking news! 🚨

The first 7000 tickets for the ESA ESTEC Open Day were gone in just 5 hours! 🎟️✨

⏰ The next batch will open today at 14:00 - so set your timers!

👉 www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 9
🚨 Belangrijk nieuws! 🚨

De eerste 7.000 tickets voor de ESTEC Open Dag zijn al binnen 5 uur uitverkocht! 🎟️✨

⏰ De volgende batch gaat vandaag om 14:00 uur weer open, dus zet je wekkers!

👉 t.co/jvMSUhGzfb
September 9, 2025 at 9:49 AM
technology.esa.int
🚀 Registration is now OPEN for ESTEC Open Day – General Public Day!

📅 Sunday, 12 October
📍 ESA ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands

🔓 Register now ➡️ www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
🎟️ Entry is free, but spots fill up fast - claim yours now!

Let’s explore space together! 🌍🧑‍🚀

#ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 8
🚀 De inschrijving voor de ESTEC Open Dag – Dag voor het grote publiek is nu geopend!

🗓️ Zondag 12 oktober
📍 ESA ESTEC, Noordwijk

🔓 Schrijf je nu in ➡️ www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
September 8, 2025 at 10:27 AM
technology.esa.int
🌈 What an unforgettable day at Leiden Canal Pride Parade 2025! 🌈

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to cheer, dance, and celebrate with us on the canals of Leiden. The energy, love, and joy were absolutely contagious! 🫶

Space for all ❤️ #canalprideleiden #prideleiden #pride
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 7
🌈Wat een onvergetelijke dag was het tijdens de Leiden Canal Pride Parade 2025!🌈

Hartelijk dank aan iedereen die is gekomen om met ons te juichen, dansen en feesten op de grachten van Leiden. De energie, liefde en vreugde waren absoluut aanstekelijk!🫶
Een feestelijke bootparade op een gracht, ter ere van Pride en inclusiviteit. De boot is versierd met regenboogkleurige vlaggen, ballonnen en spandoeken. Op één spandoek staat ‘SPACE’ met het logo van de Europese Ruimtevaartorganisatie (ESA) en op een ander spandoek staat ‘EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY FOR ALL’. De mensen op de boot zwaaien vrolijk met vlaggen en vieren feest. Toeschouwers staan langs de gracht voor traditionele Nederlandse gebouwen, met bomen en bloemen die bijdragen aan de levendige sfeer.
September 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM
technology.esa.int
Tomorrow’s the day! 🚀 On Monday 8 September, registration opens for the ESA ESTEC Open Day!
Don’t miss your once-a-year chance to explore space up close – including a special look at the Plato mission, ESA’s upcoming planet-hunting spacecraft 🌌🔭
#ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA #NLSW25 #NLSpace #SpaceRocks
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 7
Morgen is het zover! 🚀
De inschrijving voor de ESA ESTEC Open Dagis geopend.
Mis deze unieke kans niet om de ruimte van dichtbij te verkennen, inclusief een speciale blik op de PLATO-missie, ESA's aankomende ruimtesonde voor het zoeken naar planeten. 🌌🔭 #ESAOpenDay #ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA
September 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
technology.esa.int
Only 2️⃣ days until registration opens for ESA ESTEC Open Day! 🚀 Bring your questions, your family, and your curiosity - and meet astronauts who have flown to space, as well as those preparing for future missions 🌍👩🏽‍🚀

#ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA #NLSW25 #NLSpace #SpaceRocks #NetherlandsSpace #NSO
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 6
Nog 2 dagen! 🚀
Neem je vragen, je familie en je nieuwsgierigheid mee en ontmoet astronauten die naar de ruimte zijn gevlogen, evenals astronauten die zich voorbereiden op toekomstige missies. De ruimte wacht op je. 🌍🧑‍🚀

#ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA #NLSW25 #NLSpace #SpaceRocks #NetherlandsSpace #NSO
September 6, 2025 at 11:44 AM
technology.esa.int
Only 3️⃣ days until registration opens for ESA ESTEC Open Day! 🚀 Get ready to meet the minds behind ESA’s missions, dive into hands-on science, and enjoy an out-of-this-world experience with our partner @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social! 🌌 #ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA #SpaceRocks #NSO
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 5
Nog maar 3 dagen tot de inschrijving opent! 🚀
Maak je klaar om de breinen achter de ESA-missies te ontmoeten, je onder te dompelen in praktische wetenschap en te genieten van een buitenaardse ervaring met onze partner @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social 🌌
#ESAOpenDay #50YearsOfESA #SpaceRocks#NSO
September 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
technology.esa.int
🌈 We’re thrilled to announce that ESA ESTEC, our technical heart in the Netherlands, will join the Leiden Canal Pride Parade this Saturday at 13:30 CEST! 🚣🏾‍♀️ 🏳️‍🌈

Come cheer us on and let’s celebrate diversity together! #SpaceForAll ❤️

#canalprideleiden #prideleiden #pride
ESA ESTEC at Leiden Canal Pride Parade 2024 Route of Leiden Canal Pride Parade 2025
September 5, 2025 at 8:03 AM
technology.esa.int
🚀 The ESA ESTEC Open Day is almost here! Over the years, thousands of curious minds have joined us to explore the future of space... and this year we're inviting them again!

Registration opens in 4 days! 📅 Monday 8 September
nl.esa.int ESA in het Nederlands @nl.esa.int · Sep 3
🚀 De ESA ESTEC Open Dag komt er weer aan! Door de jaren heen hebben duizenden nieuwsgierige geesten zich bij ons aangesloten om de toekomst van de ruimte te verkennen, en dit jaar doen we dat weer!

De inschrijving start over 5 dagen!

📅 Maandag 8 september
September 4, 2025 at 7:53 AM
technology.esa.int
Today at #ESTEC in 🇳🇱 we celebrate 30 years of ESA Navigation activities, which resulted in the world's most accurate satellite navigation system, Galileo - one of our 50 hallmark achievements in our 50 year anniversary! www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA...
September 2, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Reposted by ESA Technology
esa.int
✅ Registration is now open for #ESAOpenDays (11 October, Disability Access Day) at ESA ESTEC 👇

(note: General Public Day registration opens 8 Sept.)
August 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM