327 Photos and videos
1 Oct 2024
Last night, at 00:00, we have switched off the payload on all the remaining spacecraft and this morning we have successfully downlinked all the remaining science data on-board.
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1 Oct 2024
We hereby declare the Cluster II Science Mission successfully concluded from the Operations team side - after 24 years, 1 month and 14 days since the achievement of its formation on the 16-08-2000. So long Cluster, forever the 4-spacecraft formation mission in the magnetosphere!
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9 Sep 2024
With the reentry of its first of four satellites, it's time to bid our Cluster mission farewell. After 24 years in space, this marks the end of science observations for the prolific mission. esa.int/Science_Exploration/…
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9 Sep 2024
With this first-ever targeted reentry, Cluster will go down in history for a second reason – taking ESA well beyond international standards, and helping ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.
📸First recorded observation of a satellite reentry from a high-speed orbit, taken from a plane in bright daylight!
ALT A black-and-white image showing Earth's surface at the bottom and a bright dot in the distance above Earth's surface. At the top left of the image are three curved lines.
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8 Sep 2024
With the reentry complete, we're hoping to learn more soon about the results of an airborne observation experiment. With the plane three hours from land, we wait patiently for further information.
We’ll be back tomorrow with an update. More info via our blog 👉 blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
For now, thank you for following and goodnight!
ALT Infographic that describes the reentry of the first of four Cluster satellites
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8 Sep 2024
Right about now, Cluster's Salsa satellite is taking the plunge into Earth's atmosphere.
Farewell, Salsa! Thank you for your service!🫡
ALT Illustration of a satellite burning up as it travels through Earth's atmosphere. Pieces of the satellite are breaking off
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8 Sep 2024
A few minutes ago, the Cluster operations team successfully listened one final time for Salsa via the Estrack ground station in Kourou.
Communication with the satellite has now reached its end.
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8 Sep 2024
With just one hour to go until reentry, find out what we're doing and why 👇 esa.int/Science_Exploration/…
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ESA Cluster retweeted
8 Sep 2024
The exact moment on Friday when the @ESA_Cluster operations team recovered Salsa for one final orbit after its searing hot final perigee knocked the spacecraft into survival mode. That final orbit comes to an end in just ~90 minutes. 👏🥲
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8 Sep 2024
🆕 Latest news on Salsa. The satellite is expected to reenter at 20:47 CEST (18:47 UTC) today, with an uncertainty of just four seconds either way.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates 👉 blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
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8 Sep 2024
Everything you need to know about our world-first targeted reentry, taking place this evening 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=KFNLzU3G…
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7 Sep 2024
It's the final dance for Salsa 💃
The satellite has just gone to the furthest point in its orbit around Earth one last time and is now heading back towards our planet for the big finale.
ALT Infographic that describes the reentry of the first of four Cluster satellites.
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7 Sep 2024
🆕 Latest news on Salsa. The satellite is expected to reenter at 20:48 CEST (18:48 UTC) on 8 September 2024, with an uncertainty of two minutes either way 👇
blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
We're getting closer and closer to waving this satellite a goodbye forever 🥹
ALT Illustration of a Cluster satellite approaching Earth.
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7 Sep 2024
The teams at @esaoperations centre ESOC and in Easter Island are continuing the preparations for the reentry and the attempt to observe it from a plane.
Here they are at Sydney airport, ready for the test flights 👇
📷 FalconAir
ALT The reentry science team early in the morning at Sydney airport, ready for the test flights. We see ten people in front of the plane and the pilot in the cockpit.
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4 Sep 2024
Salsa spotted! 🛰️🔭
Our in-house planetary defence team turned their attention to the asteroid-lookalike Cluster satellite as it dips deeper and deeper into Earth's atmosphere.
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4 Sep 2024
We are not the only ones watching Salsa though. Below is the Cluster satellite streaking across the skies in May. Find out who took this 👇 Hint: 💙💛
blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/…
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3 Sep 2024
Salsa will soon be taking a plunge into Earth's atmosphere ☁️🛰️
Not much of the 550 kg satellite will survive the reentry. If small parts do survive, they will make a splashdown in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean.
For updates see our blog 👉 blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/
ALT Banner of the Rocket Science blog, showing the Cluster spacecraft orbiting in the background. The text on top reads: Rocket Science. News from the edge of gravity.
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2 Sep 2024
Cluster was never designed to last for as long as 24 years, nor to perform a targeted reentry. And yet, here we are.
On 8 September, the first of four Cluster satellites is plunging back into Earth’s atmosphere. Here's everything you need to know 👇
esa.int/Science_Exploration/…
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30 Aug 2024
Here's what we expect will happen to the 550 kg Salsa satellite on 8 September, during a ‘targeted reentry’ in Earth’s atmosphere, a first-of-its-kind manoeuvre 👇
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