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It is the most detailed map of the Milky Way ever produced (Pic: ESA)

ESA publishes map showing over a billion stars

The European Space Agency has released an astonishing high-resolution map of more than a billion stars, both inside and outside our galaxy.

Science • 14 Sep 16

ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands

Irish woman is first ESA artist in residency

An Irish-born woman who specialises in making works of art that are created by blowing things up is to become the first European Space Agency artist in residency.

News • 03 Aug 16

Scientists believe Philae is covered in dust and too cold to operate

Earth severs link with comet probe

Ground controllers bid a final farewell to robot lab Philae, cutting communications with the tiny probe that is hurtling through space on the surface of a comet.

Science • 27 Jul 16

After a ten year journey, Rosetta arrived at the comet in August 2014

Rosetta mission to end on September 30th

Europe's trailblazing Rosetta spacecraft will end its mission on September 30th, reuniting with robot lab Philae on the surface of a comet hurtling through the Solar System, it emerged today.

Science • 30 Jun 16

Irish companies can compete for contracts from the agency, whose budget is €5bn a year

ESA backs Irish space business incubator

The European Space Agency has signed an agreement that will see a space business incubator established in Ireland.

Business • 21 Jun 16

Galileo orbiters 13 and 14 lifting off from Europe's spaceport in Kourou

Europe launches more sat-nav satellites

Europe has taken another step closer to having its own global positioning system (GPS) after two more satellites in its Galileo sat-nav constellation were launched this morning.

Science • 24 May 16

Philae's view of the cliffs at Abydos. One of the lander's three feet can be seen in the foreground.
(Pic: ESA/Rosetta/Philae/CIVA)

Scientists to listen for comet landing probe

Scientists at the European Space Agency will this week start listening out for signs that a small dishwasher sized lander, dropped onto the surface of a comet last year, is still alive.

News • 10 Mar 15

Europe is hoping to develop the capability to bring manned and robotic space vehicles back to Earth

Europe to test new re-entry technology

The European Space Agency will this week carry out the first launch of IXV, a spacecraft designed to test new re-entry technology.

Special Reports • 08 Feb 15

The series of photos were captured by the Rosetta satellite's narrow-angle camera

New images show Philae's journey to comet

New images have been released showing the journey taken by the space probe Philae after it was dropped from its satellite and the moments after it first landed on Comet 67P.

News • 17 Nov 14

Since 2004 the Rosetta spacecraft has been hurtling through space to catch up with the comet

ESA probe not anchored, but transmitting data

The European Space Agency has landed a probe on a comet, a first in space exploration and the climax of a decade-long mission, but the lander did not anchor to the surface as planned.

News • 12 Nov 14

The European Space Agency picked site 'J' from a shortlist of five

'J' marks the spot for historic comet landing

The European Space Agency has announced the spot on a comet in deep space where in November it will attempt the first-ever landing on one of these ancient wanderers of the solar system.

News • 15 Sep 14

Europe will move a step closer to getting its own civilian operated satellite based navigation system

Bad weather delays ESA satellite launch

Bad weather has indefinitely delayed the planned blast-off from French Guiana of two satellites for Europe's Galileo navigation system, launch firm Arianespace said.

News • 21 Aug 14

Artist’s impression of Rosetta spacecraft

Rosetta spacecraft completes rendezvous with comet

European spacecraft Rosetta has become the first ever to catch up with a comet, a landmark stage in a decade-long space mission that scientists hope will help unlock some of the secrets of the solar system.

News • 06 Aug 14

The ESA's Sentinel craft are part of a multi-billion euro project

ESA launches new earth monitoring satellites

The first in a series of new earth monitoring satellites has been launched into orbit by the European Space Agency.

News • 03 Apr 14

An artist's impression of Europe's Rosetta spacecraft with Mars in the background

Robotic probe awake for comet rendezvous

Europe's Rosetta spacecraft has ended its hibernation and is preparing for an unprecedented mission to orbit a comet and dispatch a lander to the surface.

News • 20 Jan 14

The satellites have to be small enough to fit into a 330ml can

Students challenged to make can-size satellite

A competition for secondary school students around Europe to design a simulation of a real satellite in a soft-drink can has been launched.

News • 02 Oct 13

Ash cloud swept across Europe two years ago causing widespread travel chaos

NUI Galway to carry out ash cloud research for ESA

NUI Galway has secured funding of €500,000 from the European Space Agency for a new ash cloud research project.

News • 19 Dec 12

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter programme seeks to conduct a close-up study of the sun

Irish firm EnBio secures €500k deal with ESA

Irish firm EnBio has announced that it has secured a €500,000 contract with the European Space Agency for one of its surfaces to be evaluated for potential use on an upcoming unique satellite programme.

News • 13 Dec 12

The mission will study three of Jupiter's biggest moons

European Space Agency announces Jupiter mission

The European Space Agency has approved a new mission to explore the moons of Jupiter.

News • 03 May 12

European Space Agency