Space ESA

Picanha

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ESA explained

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Preview 2020

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Nice time lapse video of the preparation of the IXV Vehicle in 2015 on top a Vega rocket. It was a testbed for reentry vehicles.

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Recent launches:


Vega launched on 3 September with 53 small satellites as a proof of concept

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An Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle (Ariane Flight VA253) launched Galaxy 30, MEV-2 and BSAT-4b satellites to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), a total payload of approximately 10,468 kg, from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) at Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on 15 August 2020 at 22:04 UTC (19:04 local time). Galaxy 30 (G-30) is the first replacement telecommunications satellite in IntelSat’s North American Galaxy fleet refresh. Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (MEV-2) is the second satellite servicing vehicle developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation and dock first to Intelsat 10-02 (IS-10-02). The BSAT-4b satellite, designed and built for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT), will be used for Direct-to-Home (DTH) television service above the Japan archipelago.

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Some nicely filmed Ariane 5 launches:



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Thomas Pesquet’s Alpha Mission (First ESA Astronaut to travel on SpaceX Crew Dragon)

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Underwater spacewalk training with Thomas Pesquet

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Become an astronaut. Apply between 31 March and 28 May 2021.
 

ESA sign €135 million contract for low-cost 3D printed rocket engine




Prometheus is a very-low-cost engine that will run on methane, marking a significant break with today's technologies.

The engine is planned to have the following features:


  • Methane–oxygen propellant.
  • Extensive use of metal 3D printing (up to 50% of the engine).
  • Open gas-generator cycle.
  • 980 kN of thrust (~100 tonnes), variable from 30% to 110% thrust.
  • 100 bar (10,000 kPa) chamber pressure.
  • 360 s specific impulse (Isp).
  • Reusable 3 to 5 times.
  • Around 1 million euros production cost.

Prometheus engine
Prometheus-751x1024.jpg

Engine cluster


prom_insert.jpg



Test of an entirely 3D printed combustion chamber

arianegroup_chambre_combustion_3d.jpg
 
This organically-styled bracket, designed for the interior of an Ariane 5 launcher, was 3D printed in space-worthy titanium alloy for an R&D project


Ariane6_Auto1A.jpg
 
2029 Project: Cosmic Interceptor



Comet Interceptor has been selected as ESA's new fast-class mission. It will be the first spacecraft to visit a truly pristine comet or other interstellar object that is only just starting its journey into the inner Solar System.

The spacecraft will wait at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, which is 1.5 million kilometres 'behind' Earth as viewed from the Sun. It will travel to an as-yet undiscovered comet, making a flyby of the chosen target when it is on the approach to Earth's orbit.

The mission comprises three spacecraft that will perform simultaneous observations from multiple points around the comet, creating a 3D profile of a 'dynamically new' object that contains unprocessed material surviving from the dawn of the Solar System.
 
Test tanks fuelled for ESA's Themis reusable first stage

The Themis experimental approach promotes learning by hardware testing. This Agile methodology focuses on activities of greatest value and works to short timescales.




test-tanks-fuelled-for-2.jpg
 
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