ESA's new Head of Centre: Magali Vaissiere

The European Space Agency's UK facility has a new Head of Centre: Magali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications. Oxfordshire-based ECSAT, the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications, was officially unveiled on 14 May, 2013, and is active in telecommunications, climate change, technology, science and integrated applications. 

Spacewalk ends early

Luca Parmitano and Chris Cassidy ended their spacewalk after only 1 h 32 min. NASA's Flight Director terminated the sortie after Luca reported water in his helmet

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Heat Wave Building Into the Ohio Valley and Eastern United States

A very anomalous weather pattern is in place over the U.S. for mid-July. Trapped between an upper level ridge centered over the Ohio Valley and the closed upper level low over the Texas/Oklahoma border, atypical hot, muggy air is stifling a broad swath of the eastern U.S.

ESA test opens way to UK spaceplane engine investment

The UK government has announced plans to invest in the development of an air-breathing rocket engine – intended for a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane – following the ESA-managed feasibility testing of essential technology.

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Be prepared

Human spaceflight and operations image of the week: embarking on the second EVA 
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