ESA Archives

Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Comets and Asteroids, Commercial & Private Sector, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations

BioAsteroid Payload On Orbit

by Keith CowingJanuary 15, 2021February 3, 2026

Inside one of the containers of this 40-cm-across miniature laboratory in orbit, a battle is set to start between asteroid-like fragments and rock-hungry microbes, to probe their use for space […]

This fluorescent work of art captures the beauty of biofilms, or the growth of microbes on rocks. In this microscopic image, Sphingomonas desiccabilis is growing on basalt. It is one of three microbes chosen for the BioRock experiment, run by a research team from the University of Edinburgh in the UK, that will test how altered states of gravity affect biofilm formation on the International Space Station.

Commercial & Private Sector, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release

Building An Extra-terrestrial Habitat – One Microbe At A Time

by Keith CowingNovember 12, 2020April 12, 2024

We are making good progress towards going to the Moon and Mars.

Mars, Press Release

Mars Express Finds More Underground Water On Mars

by Keith CowingSeptember 28, 2020

ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft has discovered several ponds of liquid water buried under the ice in the south polar region of Mars. The spacecraft’s radar instrument, MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar […]

Mars, Press Release

ExoMars Finds New Gas Signatures In Mars' Atmosphere

by Keith CowingJuly 28, 2020

ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has spotted new gas signatures at Mars. These unlock new secrets about the martian atmosphere, and will enable a more accurate determination of whether there […]

Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release

Video: Meet the Experts: Extreme Life

by Keith CowingJuly 19, 2020

Microbial life is known to survive in all sorts of extreme environments by going into a dormant state. Could they have survived long trips around our galaxy to seed life […]

Europa, Jupiter, Press Release

New Evidence Of Watery Plumes On Jupiter's Moon Europa

by Keith CowingMay 12, 2020November 17, 2023

Jupiter’s moon Europa is a fascinating world. On its surface, the moon appears to be scratched and scored with reddish-brown scars, which rake across the surface in a crisscrossing pattern. […]

Microbiology & Virology, Press Release

Understanding The Microbiology Of The International Space Station

by Keith CowingJanuary 22, 2020

Sometimes doing science is as simple as wiping up. NASA astronaut Jack Fisher is seen here using a wet wipe on the surfaces of the European Cupola module of the […]

Press Release, Space Life Science

Help Shape The Future of European Space Biology

by Keith CowingJanuary 22, 2020

What biology research would you conduct on the International Space Station? As the world celebrates 20 years of astronauts living and working on the International Space Station, ESA is preparing […]

Astrochemistry, Press Release

Chemicals on Comet Comet 67P Suggest Composition Of Its Birthplace

by Keith CowingJanuary 20, 2020

Observations from ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft are shedding light on the mysterious make-up of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, revealing a mix of compounds thought to be essential precursors to life – including salts […]

Plant Biology, Press Release

Space Saplings To Inspire The Next Newton

by Keith CowingJanuary 13, 2020

Eight saplings grown from pips taken from Isaac Newton’s apple tree and flown in space by ESA astronaut Tim Peake are being planted across the UK and Europe. The seeds […]