Copernical Team
Satellite study revises methane loss high in Earth atmosphere
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat efficiently in Earth atmosphere, and scientists estimate that it accounts for about 30 percent of modern global warming despite being less abundant than carbon dioxide. Observations show that methane levels have risen over time, but researchers still lack clarity about why the rate of accumulation changes from year to year.
Methane remai When Earth's magnetic field took its time flipping
Earth's magnetic field is generated by the churn of its liquid nickel-iron outer core, but it is not a constant feature.
Every so often, the magnetic north and south poles swap places in what are called geomagnetic reversals, and the record of these flips is preserved in rocks and sediments, including those from the ocean floor. These reversals don't happen suddenly, but over several thous ESA marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026
Today we join the international community in celebrating Women and Girls in Science. Discover the diversity of female talents working in science and technology around Europe and the words of wisdom that shaped their careers.
NASA selects two Earth System Explorers missions
We're checking your connection to prevent automated abuse
Weather pushes back SpaceX's Crew-12 window, opening door for first ULA launch of year
We're checking your connection to prevent automated abuse
Europe's Ariane 6 to launch Amazon constellation satellites into orbit
We're checking your connection to prevent automated abuse
Launch to ISS delayed again over weather: NASA
We're checking your connection to prevent automated abuse
Watch live: Crew-12 launch and docking (updated)
Update — 10 February 2026: NASA and SpaceX have announced they are now planning to launch the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station no earlier than 10:15 GMT / 11:15 CET (05:15 ET) on Friday 13 February, due to forecast weather conditions along the flight path of the Dragon spacecraft. All the dates and times have been updated in the article.
Intense rainfall brings floods across Iberian Peninsula
Satellite data have captured the intensity of rainfall over the Iberian Peninsula during three severe winter storms, and the extent of flooding that followed around the Tejo River and basin in Portugal.
ESA awards contracts for Ramses mission to Apophis
On 10 February 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a contract with OHB Italia for the development of the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses). Launching in 2028, Ramses will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis before its rare close encounter with Earth. The mission will provide unique insight into the physical properties and behaviour of asteroids, and strengthen international collaboration and European capabilities in planetary defence.