Science and Exploration

European Space Agency 2020 Highlights

By Marc Boucher
Status Report
December 28, 2020
Filed under ,
European Space Agency 2020 Highlights
SOHO: 25 years of solar imaging.
ESA

2020 has been another year of progress for ESA. Watch this short highlight video.
The launch and commissioning of Solar Orbiter heralded a new era of space science, whilst Eutelsat Konnect revolutionised telecommunications. The new Vega SSMS began a cost-effective new launch system for small satellites, deploying exciting new technologies such as PhiSat and ESAIL. ESA’s Earth Observation activities were also showcased, with the launch of Sentinel-6 and an international effort to monitor the environmental and economic impact of COVID-19. Gaia and Cheops yielded new findings about our universe; ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano returned successfully from orbit. With a lunar programme agreement signed and new steps being taken to control debris, ESA is set to begin 2021 at the forefront of space exploration.

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