Our astronaut Luca Parmitano is assigned as pilot of NASA’s #ArtemisIII mission. With Europe powering Orion with the European Service Module, this mission will test the critical operations preparing for humankind's return to the Moon. A strong step forward for ESA–NASA partnership. 🔗esa.int/Science_Exploration/… 📸 NASA

Good news: economic growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of air quality. Using @CopernicusEU Sentinel-5P data, researchers found many major cities are growing while cutting NO₂ - read the full story⬇️ esa.int/Applications/Observi…

And that's a wrap on the #ILA2026 Industry Days. My main takeaway: space is changing. Not only in the way we DO space, but also with its growing recognition as a agent for solving our most pressing challenges. Let us stay grounded in strategic cooperation, enhanced autonomy, and continued technological excellence.

Planetary defence is inherently international: at yesterday’s @UNOOSA Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna, representatives of @ESA, @ASI_Spazio & @JAXA_en discussed their Ramses mission collaboration, set to rendezvous with asteroid Apophis passing Earth on Friday 13 April 2029

🔴 #LiveNow: press conference with ESA DG at #ILA2026 📺 watch.esa.int/two/

🇩🇪Opened up #ILA2026 in Berlin today with Minister @DoroBaer and @bundeskanzler Merz. Europe is entering a new era of space exploration. ESA is at its heart, with Germany playing a major role, from European Service Modules to astronauts to industry and everything in between. In a changing geopolitical landscape, a unified European approach coupled with strategic international cooperation remains essential.

During a spacewalk early in his career, @astro_luca's helmet began to fill with water. As the water started to rise Luca couldn't breathe, communicate or even see, relying on his safety tether to return to the airlock - and safety. He handled the life-threatening crisis with so much calm and clarity that his heart rate stayed stable at a resting rate and colleagues at mission control couldn't even tell he was stressed. This is a story that is passed around the hallways at ESA as legend. It's a story that tells you more about an astronaut than any CV ever could. Luca is precise, composed and determined. He is exactly the right person for this role. A test pilot by training, with two missions to space, a commander of the International Space Station – he has seen spaceflight from every angle that matters. Yesterday I felt so much pride for Luca, as I caught a glimpse of his two daughters from the audience while they watched their father named part of the #ArtemisIII crew, in what must be one of the most emotive moments of his career. Caro Luca, siamo tutti orgogliosi di te. Buon volo! esa.int/Science_Exploration/…

The hunt for water on the Moon is 🔛 @esa's Prospect package will drill beneath the lunar South Pole in search of water ice and oxygen to fuel future exploration. Launch is set for 2027 🚀 👀 Curious about the mission? Meet Prospect at #ILA2026 or at esa.int/prospect @OpenUniversity @LDO_Space @Int_Machines @NASA #Space4Future

#MediaInvitation: Following the 347th ESA Council, information session on the core topics discussed. 🗓 17 June, 15:30 CEST 📍 ESA HQ Paris or online ✅Register by 15 June, 17:00 CEST: blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-medi…

🔴 #LiveNow: Opening of the Space Pavilion at #ILA2026, showcasing Europe’s ambitions in space. 📺watch.esa.int/two/

Artemis III will push the boundaries of spacecraft operations in orbit. @ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano’s assignment as pilot reflects the depth of European expertise in human spaceflight and draws on his extensive operational experience in high-pressure situations. At the same time, ESA’s European Service Module (ESM) will once again provide the critical capabilities that power Orion, demonstrating Europe’s enduring role at the very heart of the Artemis programme. The news out of Houston today is a powerful recognition of ESA’s role in enabling humankind’s return to the Moon – and a key advancement in our partnership with @NASA. Europeans can take pride in being part of this exciting journey. #ArtemisIII @astro_luca

UPDATE: The Artemis III event will start at 11:30am ET (1530 UTC) on Tuesday, June 9!

ILA Berlin 2026 starts tomorrow 🚀 Follow key moments live on ESA Web TV: • 10 Jun | 10:15 CEST: Official opening with ESA astronauts • 11 Jun | 09:15 CEST: ESA press conference with ESA DG • 11 Jun | 14:00 CEST: ISS in-flight call with Sophie Adenot 📺 watch.esa.int/Two/ More info 👉 esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_n… #Space4Future #ILA2026

ESA will implement an astronaut mission to the International Space Station for the Czech Republic with @vast 🇨🇿👨‍🚀 Member of @esa's astronaut reserve @astro_ales is planned to serve as the mission’s pilot and would become the first Czech astronaut to visit the International @Space_Station, alongside ESA astronaut @Thom_astro as commander. The mission is planned for no earlier than 2027. More details: esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Relea… @mpo_tweetuje