Astronomy

The Rubin Observatory will reveal its first images on Monday. Space.com spoke to scientists who explained why this will be a monumental event for astronomy.

The Unistellar Father's Day sale ends in two days — grab the Odyssey Pro with $675 off

The giant explosion that destroyed a SpaceX Starship vehicle on the test stand this week was likely caused by the failure of a pressurized nitrogen tank, the company said.

Attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities have already triggered at least one internal radiation leak, but should we be concerned that Israeli bombing could cause a larger nuclear accident?

Attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities have already triggered at least one internal radiation leak, but should we be concerned that Israeli bombing could cause a larger nuclear accident?

An ongoing leak aboard the International Space Station is once again delaying the launch of Axiom Space's next private astronaut mission.

Seen in "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones" the Acclamator-Class Lego set comes packed with authentic detail, has 450 pieces, and is part of a collectible Star Wars series.

This full-disk image from NOAA’s GOES-13 satellite shows the Americas at the start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21, 2012.

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The 2025 summer solstice takes place on June 20, heralding the onset of astronomical summer and the longest day of the year.

Researchers created a satellite tracking system to track satellite streaks across the Arctic for the first time ever.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin plans to launch six people to suborbital space on the NS-33 mission are on hold due to local weather conditions in West Texas.

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Marking the first public day of this year’s International Paris Air Show, the President of France Emmanuel Macron visited the Paris Space Hub.  

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander welcomed President Macron, introducing him to the assembled French astronauts and a group of young space professionals in attendance.  

French ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot joined by video link from the United States, where she is training for her upcoming mission to the International Space Station. Sophie detailed some of her training, explaining that no two days are alike. Fellow astronauts Thomas Pesquet, Jean-François Clervoy and Claudie Haignéré also addressed Sophie and offered their advice for her time in space. Together President Macron and Sophie announced that her mission will be named εpsilon, and revealed her mission patch.

Speaking about the development of the space industry, President Macron said Europe must increase investment in commercial space, and emphasised the importance of complementarity of public and private investment – particularly with the upcoming ESA Council at Ministerial level and ongoing discussions for the next EU multiannual financial framework. He also mentioned the developing need for dual-use space capacity including surveillance. President Macron highlighted the importance of research and of making Europe a destination for researchers in line with the EU Choose Europe for Science initiative. He also called on Europe to improve its competitiveness in space. Watch a replay of the visit.  

A new Letter of Intent between the European Space Agency and Dassault Aviation was also announced, signalling the common interest of the organisations in working on low Earth orbit exploration, in particular orbital vehicles. 

Week in images: 16-20 June 2025

Discover our week through the lens

The moon is a key step in the journey of space exploration, but making it habitable brings up lots of questions around space law and policy

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At Le Bourget Paris Air Show, French President Emmanuel Macron talks with ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot about her mission 'εpsilon'.

Technology reporter Matthew Sparkes thought his passwords and personal data were safe, but a tour of the murkier sides of the internet revealed otherwise

Technology reporter Matthew Sparkes thought his passwords and personal data were safe, but a tour of the murkier sides of the internet revealed otherwise

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ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot’s first mission to the International Space Station now has a name: εpsilon. The mission name and patch were announced today at the Paris Air Show by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Sophie Adenot, who joined remotely from the United States, where she is training for her spaceflight.

Sophie Adenot is one of the five astronauts selected from ESA’s most recent astronaut class of 2022. Following the successful completion of their basic training in spring 2024, Josef Aschbacher announced during the Space Council in Brussels that Sophie and fellow graduate Raphaël Liégois had been assigned their first missions to the International Space Station, currently planned for 2026.

The εpsilon name and patch reflect the power of small, yet impactful contributions and how multiple parts unite to create a whole.

In mathematics, “ε” represents something small. In the extensive collaborative effort of space exploration, involving thousands of participants, all roles, including the astronaut's role, stay small yet meaningful.

The hummingbird, central to the patch, embodies this idea; though one of Earth’s smallest birds, it plays a crucial role in the jungle’s ecosystem, pollinating numerous plants.

Encircling the patch is a ring of small dots, symbolising the many small contributions that together make great achievements possible. All these little actions that can be coordinated to form a circle and close the loop. At the top, three of these dots are coloured – blue, white, and red – representing Sophie’s home country, France, and ESA’s exploration destinations: Earth, the Moon, and Mars.

The name εpsilon, being the fifth Greek letter and the fifth brightest star of the Leo constellation, also follows the French tradition to name human spaceflight missions after celestial bodies. It also pays tribute to the five career astronauts of ESA’s 2022 class. 

Three lines emerge from the “i” of the εpsilon, shaping the tail of a shooting star, a poetic reminder that dreams keep us alive.

At the base of the patch lies a rounded blue shape, representing Earth’s surface and its natural beauty: mountains, forests and landscapes that Sophie enjoys exploring. It serves as a reminder of our motivation for spaceflight: to explore, learn, and return with this knowledge to benefit life on Earth.

From an emotional perspective, the same message is conveyed. In life's intricate tapestry, small threads contribute to create the most beautiful patterns. A kind word, a gentle smile, a moment of patience - these seemingly insignificant actions can transform lives and shape destinies. This patch invites each of us to embrace the potential of our smallest actions as they ripple outward, touching hearts and inspiring souls.

During her εpsilon mission, Sophie will perform numerous scientific experiments, many of them European, conduct medical research, support Earth observation and contribute to operations and maintenance aboard the International Space Station.