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ESA Explores Space Operations

ESA Explores Space Operations

Written by: ESA
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From Earth orbit to deep space: sharing the excitement of realtime mission operations at the European Space Agency.Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Science
Episodes
  • ESA‘s riskiest flyby – Solar Orbiter faces Earth debris
    Nov 25 2021

    We talk to Julia Schwartz, expert in flight dynamics, and Klaus Merz, space debris, about Solar Orbiter's upcoming risky Earth flyby. On 27 Nov, it will pass almost as close as the International Space Station in one of the closest flybys on record, which will see the spacecraft pass through two regions of hazardous debris. Could Solar Orbiter swerve from collision, if needed? Has the recent 'fragmentation event' increased the risk?

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    19 mins
  • Rescuing Integral: No thrusters, no problem
    Jul 16 2021

    A year ago today, a failure on the Integral spacecraft meant it fired its thrusters for likely the last time. Hear Richard Southworth, Operations Manager for the mission explain how in the 365 days since, the spacecraft in Earth orbit has continued to shed light on the violent gamma ray Universe.

    Not only that, Integral should soon be working even more efficiently than before, as mission control teams implement an ingenious new way to control the 18-year-old spacecraft.

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    39 mins
  • Your chance to name the next space weather mission
    May 19 2021

    ESA needs you. We need a name for our new spacecraft. Its mission? To spot potentially hazardous solar storms before they reach Earth.

    We speak to Jussi Luntama, ESA's Head of Space Weather about the mission, why it needs a new name, and what kind of submissions he's hoping for.

    Submit your proposal at: https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_weather/Name_ESA_s_new_mission

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    17 mins
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