ESA Operations
@operations.esa.int
From Earth orbit to deep space: sharing the excitement of real-time mission operations at the European Space Agency. Home for ESA's teams working on Planetary Defence, Space Weather, Clean Space & Space Debris.
esa.int/Operations
esa.int/Space_Safety
esa.int/Operations
esa.int/Space_Safety
☀️ Lessons from the November 2025 solar storm
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
November 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
☀️ Lessons from the November 2025 solar storm
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Last week, Earth was hit by a large solar storm. The event provided an opportunity for multiple ESA missions, whether orbiting Earth or far into deep space, to collect radiation data, which is now being analysed.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
☄️ 40 000 near-Earth asteroids discovered!
Thankfully, none of them are cause for concern for the foreseeable future, but ESA's planetary defence teams are keeping a watchful eye on the skies.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Thankfully, none of them are cause for concern for the foreseeable future, but ESA's planetary defence teams are keeping a watchful eye on the skies.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
November 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM
☄️ 40 000 near-Earth asteroids discovered!
Thankfully, none of them are cause for concern for the foreseeable future, but ESA's planetary defence teams are keeping a watchful eye on the skies.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
Thankfully, none of them are cause for concern for the foreseeable future, but ESA's planetary defence teams are keeping a watchful eye on the skies.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
☀️ ESA actively monitoring severe space weather event
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
November 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
☀️ ESA actively monitoring severe space weather event
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
On 11 November, an intense solar flare was observed, followed by a coronal mass ejection estimated to arrive at Earth in the late evening today or in the early morning tomorrow.
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
That’s it from us on Copernicus Sentinel-1D! If you like launches, don't forget to tune back for the launch of Copernicus Sentinel-6B later this month.
📷ESA - J. Mai
📷ESA - J. Mai
November 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
That’s it from us on Copernicus Sentinel-1D! If you like launches, don't forget to tune back for the launch of Copernicus Sentinel-6B later this month.
📷ESA - J. Mai
📷ESA - J. Mai
The teams at ESA mission control will now spend around 10 hours carefully unfolding Copernicus's Sentinel-1D’s 12 m radar and two 10 m solar wings. The satellite’s unique deployment sequence was designed to ensure that these complex structures all deploy in the safest possible way.
📷ESA/Mlabspace
📷ESA/Mlabspace
November 4, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The teams at ESA mission control will now spend around 10 hours carefully unfolding Copernicus's Sentinel-1D’s 12 m radar and two 10 m solar wings. The satellite’s unique deployment sequence was designed to ensure that these complex structures all deploy in the safest possible way.
📷ESA/Mlabspace
📷ESA/Mlabspace
We hear you, Copernicus Sentinel-1D! KSAT Kongsberg’s Troll Satellite Ground Station in Antarctica, has received the first signals from the satellite. The orbit has been reached and telemetry has begun to arrive at ESA's mission control in Darmstadt!
November 4, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We hear you, Copernicus Sentinel-1D! KSAT Kongsberg’s Troll Satellite Ground Station in Antarctica, has received the first signals from the satellite. The orbit has been reached and telemetry has begun to arrive at ESA's mission control in Darmstadt!
The Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite will enhance our planet's radar vision. It will join the fleet of Sentinels operated from ESA’s mission control centre in Darmstadt, which includes Sentinel-1A. 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C & 5P. We also helped get Sentinel-3A, 3B & 6 up & running post-launch.
🎥ESA/Mlabspace
🎥ESA/Mlabspace
November 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite will enhance our planet's radar vision. It will join the fleet of Sentinels operated from ESA’s mission control centre in Darmstadt, which includes Sentinel-1A. 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C & 5P. We also helped get Sentinel-3A, 3B & 6 up & running post-launch.
🎥ESA/Mlabspace
🎥ESA/Mlabspace
One of the simulation exercises made them face a solar storm of extreme magnitude. While we wait for the next launch preparation phase, we encourage you to take a look at the consequences of this nightmare scenario: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
November 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
One of the simulation exercises made them face a solar storm of extreme magnitude. While we wait for the next launch preparation phase, we encourage you to take a look at the consequences of this nightmare scenario: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
📷ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team
ESOC mission control has never been more ready. Over the last weeks, our teams have been rehearsing the Copernicus Sentinel-1D launch and crucial early-orbit phase in a set of simulation sessions. Read more about it at: www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
📷ESA - J. Mai
📷ESA - J. Mai
November 4, 2025 at 5:29 PM
ESOC mission control has never been more ready. Over the last weeks, our teams have been rehearsing the Copernicus Sentinel-1D launch and crucial early-orbit phase in a set of simulation sessions. Read more about it at: www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
📷ESA - J. Mai
📷ESA - J. Mai
The Copernicus Sentinel-1D ‘Network Countdown’ has begun. Launch, communication and control facilities around the world have begun a synchronised sequence of activities to prepare for liftoff at 22:02 CET tonight and the crucial hours that follow. 🚀Watch live at esawebtv.esa.int
📷ESA - J. Mai
📷ESA - J. Mai
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Copernicus Sentinel-1D ‘Network Countdown’ has begun. Launch, communication and control facilities around the world have begun a synchronised sequence of activities to prepare for liftoff at 22:02 CET tonight and the crucial hours that follow. 🚀Watch live at esawebtv.esa.int
📷ESA - J. Mai
📷ESA - J. Mai
The bolide was preceded almost an hour before, at 19:42 CET, by a meteor that lit up the skies for around 8 to 10 seconds. Despite the close timing, the two events followed distinct trajectories, indicating they were likely unrelated.
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The bolide was preceded almost an hour before, at 19:42 CET, by a meteor that lit up the skies for around 8 to 10 seconds. Despite the close timing, the two events followed distinct trajectories, indicating they were likely unrelated.
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
The object appeared 97 km above Lousã, Castelo Branco, before disintegrating at an altitude of 43 km above Amiosinho, Coimbra, both in Portugal.
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The object appeared 97 km above Lousã, Castelo Branco, before disintegrating at an altitude of 43 km above Amiosinho, Coimbra, both in Portugal.
☄️ Fireball observed over Spain and Portugal!
On 2 November 2025 at 20:41 CET, ESA’s fireball camera in Cáceres, Spain, recorded a bright bolide streaking northwest over Portugal. It was travelling at approximately 81 000 km/h.
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
On 2 November 2025 at 20:41 CET, ESA’s fireball camera in Cáceres, Spain, recorded a bright bolide streaking northwest over Portugal. It was travelling at approximately 81 000 km/h.
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
☄️ Fireball observed over Spain and Portugal!
On 2 November 2025 at 20:41 CET, ESA’s fireball camera in Cáceres, Spain, recorded a bright bolide streaking northwest over Portugal. It was travelling at approximately 81 000 km/h.
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
On 2 November 2025 at 20:41 CET, ESA’s fireball camera in Cáceres, Spain, recorded a bright bolide streaking northwest over Portugal. It was travelling at approximately 81 000 km/h.
Credit: ESA/PDO/AMS82 - AllSky7
www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Meanwhile, the Juice team recently validated their backup control facility at ESA’s deep space ground in Cebreros, Spain.
They successfully took control of Juice in a simulated emergency and demonstrated that ESA can stay connected to its interplanetary fleet, even if ESOC goes offline.
They successfully took control of Juice in a simulated emergency and demonstrated that ESA can stay connected to its interplanetary fleet, even if ESOC goes offline.
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Meanwhile, the Juice team recently validated their backup control facility at ESA’s deep space ground in Cebreros, Spain.
They successfully took control of Juice in a simulated emergency and demonstrated that ESA can stay connected to its interplanetary fleet, even if ESOC goes offline.
They successfully took control of Juice in a simulated emergency and demonstrated that ESA can stay connected to its interplanetary fleet, even if ESOC goes offline.
The commands for the observations were prepared today at ESA’s ESOC mission control in Darmstadt, Germany.
Juice is designed to study Jupiter and its moons. Planning observations of an entirely different object at short notice required some complex geometry, and precise timing!
Juice is designed to study Jupiter and its moons. Planning observations of an entirely different object at short notice required some complex geometry, and precise timing!
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The commands for the observations were prepared today at ESA’s ESOC mission control in Darmstadt, Germany.
Juice is designed to study Jupiter and its moons. Planning observations of an entirely different object at short notice required some complex geometry, and precise timing!
Juice is designed to study Jupiter and its moons. Planning observations of an entirely different object at short notice required some complex geometry, and precise timing!
Juice will observe 3I/ATLAS from 2—25 November 2025, while the comet is near perihelion – its closest point to the Sun ☀️
That’s when comets are at their most active, often featuring a glowing coma around the nucleus and dramatic tails.
That’s when comets are at their most active, often featuring a glowing coma around the nucleus and dramatic tails.
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Juice will observe 3I/ATLAS from 2—25 November 2025, while the comet is near perihelion – its closest point to the Sun ☀️
That’s when comets are at their most active, often featuring a glowing coma around the nucleus and dramatic tails.
That’s when comets are at their most active, often featuring a glowing coma around the nucleus and dramatic tails.
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft is ready to aim its instruments at interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS! 🪐☄️
Here’s what’s happening and why it’s such a rare opportunity 🧵
Here’s what’s happening and why it’s such a rare opportunity 🧵
October 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft is ready to aim its instruments at interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS! 🪐☄️
Here’s what’s happening and why it’s such a rare opportunity 🧵
Here’s what’s happening and why it’s such a rare opportunity 🧵
ESA will send a plane filled with scientists and instruments to observe the reentries of Samba and Tango from below and learn as much as possible about how satellites burn and break up during atmospheric reentry.
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
ESA will send a plane filled with scientists and instruments to observe the reentries of Samba and Tango from below and learn as much as possible about how satellites burn and break up during atmospheric reentry.
Two Cluster satellites remain: next year, Samba and Tango will carry out their own carefully targeted reentries in a similar location, just ~24 hours apart.
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Two Cluster satellites remain: next year, Samba and Tango will carry out their own carefully targeted reentries in a similar location, just ~24 hours apart.
The second of four @science.esa.int Cluster satellites has reentered the atmosphere. Rumba’s 25-year dance around Earth ended in a targeted reentry over a remote region of the Pacific Ocean at 20:59 CEST on 22 October.
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
The second of four @science.esa.int Cluster satellites has reentered the atmosphere. Rumba’s 25-year dance around Earth ended in a targeted reentry over a remote region of the Pacific Ocean at 20:59 CEST on 22 October.
☀️Flying through the strongest solar storm ever recorded
No communication or navigation, faulty electronics, collision risks. ESA mission control teams faced a scenario unlike any before. Fortunately, this nightmare unfolded not in reality, but as part of the simulation!
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
No communication or navigation, faulty electronics, collision risks. ESA mission control teams faced a scenario unlike any before. Fortunately, this nightmare unfolded not in reality, but as part of the simulation!
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
October 15, 2025 at 2:08 PM
☀️Flying through the strongest solar storm ever recorded
No communication or navigation, faulty electronics, collision risks. ESA mission control teams faced a scenario unlike any before. Fortunately, this nightmare unfolded not in reality, but as part of the simulation!
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
No communication or navigation, faulty electronics, collision risks. ESA mission control teams faced a scenario unlike any before. Fortunately, this nightmare unfolded not in reality, but as part of the simulation!
www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
🛰️ Rehearsing for Sentinel-6B’s early days in space
Mission control at ESOC is getting ready for the launch of Europe’s latest sea-level monitoring satellite. The campaign is designed to test their ability to deal with issues, adapt the timeline, and operate under stress.
www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Mission control at ESOC is getting ready for the launch of Europe’s latest sea-level monitoring satellite. The campaign is designed to test their ability to deal with issues, adapt the timeline, and operate under stress.
www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
October 8, 2025 at 12:53 PM
🛰️ Rehearsing for Sentinel-6B’s early days in space
Mission control at ESOC is getting ready for the launch of Europe’s latest sea-level monitoring satellite. The campaign is designed to test their ability to deal with issues, adapt the timeline, and operate under stress.
www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Mission control at ESOC is getting ready for the launch of Europe’s latest sea-level monitoring satellite. The campaign is designed to test their ability to deal with issues, adapt the timeline, and operate under stress.
www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
ESA's Planetary Defence Office observed the asteroid shortly after its discovery. This observation helped astronomers determine the close approach distance and time to such high precision.
The interaction with Earth's gravity significantly altered the asteroid's orbit around the Sun 👇
The interaction with Earth's gravity significantly altered the asteroid's orbit around the Sun 👇
October 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
ESA's Planetary Defence Office observed the asteroid shortly after its discovery. This observation helped astronomers determine the close approach distance and time to such high precision.
The interaction with Earth's gravity significantly altered the asteroid's orbit around the Sun 👇
The interaction with Earth's gravity significantly altered the asteroid's orbit around the Sun 👇
Asteroid 2025 TF is roughly 1 to 3 m across and was first spotted by the Catalina Sky Survey a few hours after it had passed Earth.
Objects of this size can produce fireballs if they strike Earth’s atmosphere, and small meteorites can make it to the ground.
Objects of this size can produce fireballs if they strike Earth’s atmosphere, and small meteorites can make it to the ground.
October 6, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Asteroid 2025 TF is roughly 1 to 3 m across and was first spotted by the Catalina Sky Survey a few hours after it had passed Earth.
Objects of this size can produce fireballs if they strike Earth’s atmosphere, and small meteorites can make it to the ground.
Objects of this size can produce fireballs if they strike Earth’s atmosphere, and small meteorites can make it to the ground.
The new antenna will also serve ESA’s efforts towards international collaboration. As part of mutual cross-support arrangements with the agency’s partners, the new antenna can support other space agencies as well as commercial space missions, boosting science return and operational efficiency.
October 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The new antenna will also serve ESA’s efforts towards international collaboration. As part of mutual cross-support arrangements with the agency’s partners, the new antenna can support other space agencies as well as commercial space missions, boosting science return and operational efficiency.