Josef Aschbacher

A very special moment welcoming @Soph_astro back to Europe this morning.

An emotional return, but Sophie was as strong and inspiring as ever. And one of her first messages was to thank the whole @ESA and @CNES teams for their professionalism and excellent support throughout her mission.

Welcome home, Sophie🌎

Exploration was on everyone’s minds at #IAC2026. That's a good sign because decisions are being taken now that will determine Europe's role in explorarion for decades to come.

To stay relevant in the greater space arena, we must define a true European way forward that preserves our ability to choose how we engage in space and creates the conditions our industry needs to grow and shine.

After a record-breaking 237-day mission, our very own @Soph_astro has returned safely to Earth🌎

Three spacewalks. A European endurance record. An abundance of science delivered.

Bon retour parmi nous, Sophie! You have made Europe proud.

Envisioned, built, and launched by Europe.

@esa keeps delivering the reliable satellites that enable the @EU_Commission's world-leading Copernicus programme.

And now, Sentinel-3C is showing us what it can do.

esa.int/Applications/O…

Another full day at #IAC2026 with our international and industry partners.

I’m encouraged by their commitment to help us reach the Moon and go beyond, and their willingness to put in the work.

Now it’s on all of us to turn those plans into missions that fly.

An #IAC2026 check-in

A Star is Born 🌟

I often talk about the strategy, the policies and the programmes that can lift Europe. But this is what we can sometimes overlook as policymakers and decisionmakers: the science and discovery is what it’s all about.

3,300 light-years away, Webb has revealed the stellar nursery NGC 7129 in extraordinary detail. Young stars are busy carving cavities, blasting outflows and shaping the clouds around them - like any decent adolescent!

Science expands our horizons and reminds us why we invest in it. Let us take a communal moment to say "Wow" to our Universe.✨

Read more about what you see in the image:
esa.int/ESA_Multimedia…

Vast and @esa are taking our cooperation to the next level. Ensuring a continued transatlantic partnership in the post-ISS commercial space station era is a top priority for Vast. @IAC2026Antalya. vast.news/4yg3zW8

We’re in Antalya for #IAC2026

On the first day, discussions focused on strengthening Europe’s space capabilities, international cooperation and the future of exploration. More updates to come!

Read more: esa.int/About_Us/Corpo…

Credits: International Astronautical Federation

🇮🇳Today at #IAC2026, following an extention of our cooperation agreement we signed a couple weeks ago, @ESA and @isro took the first steps to discuss what an expanded cooperation in space could look like between the two agencies.

From human spaceflight and lunar exploration to climate and science missions, Europe and India are turning long-standing partnership into concrete opportunities for the future of space.

🇨🇦 In a more fragmented world, trusted partnerships matter. Europe and Canada share values, ambitions and a strong history of cooperation in space. Our collaboration is becoming more important than ever as we build resilience and shape the future together, shoulder to shoulder.

A huge thank you to NASA for this incredible Artemis II keepsake: actual Zinnia elegans and Capsicum annuum seeds that flew around the Moon! 🌙🌱

Zinnias have helped scientists study flowering in microgravity, while peppers are being explored as a future space crop. Science that literally went around the Moon and will have an impact on the wellbeing of our future explorers.

The International Space Station stands as one of the greatest examples of international cooperation of our time.

As Europe looks ahead to the next chapter of human spaceflight, we are exploring a range of options to maintain and strengthen our presence in Low Earth Orbit.

Our cooperation with @vast marks an important step in this work, helping us assess future opportunities for European astronauts, research and technology in orbit.

We’re heading to the #IAC2026

🔴 Watch live on Monday: ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher in the plenary “Why Does the World Need More Space?”
📅 5 October at 10:00 CEST
▶️ Watch on ESA Web TV
🔗esa.int/About_Us/Corpo…

Another 1st for the @SpaceX team 👏 Great achievement!

Excellent intervention by Commissioner @KubiliusEU. Europe has agreed a shared long-term vision for space transportation. Now comes the crucial next step: turning that vision into action.

🤝ESA and the EU are working hand in hand to strengthen European launch capabilities and ensure autonomous, resilient and competitive access to space that will be needed to address both the challenges and the opportunities for decades to come.

🇪🇸During my trip to Spain, I was deeply moved to visit ESA's Cebreros ground station and personally thank the emergency responders, public authorities and local communities who worked tirelessly to protect lives, livelihoods and communities during this summer's devastating wildfires that stretched across Spain.

For more than 20 years, ESA has been part of the Cebreros community, with many of our colleagues living and raising their families in the surrounding area while helping connect Europe with spacecraft exploring the Solar System millions of kilometres away. When the fires threatened both the station and nearby communities, it became a deeply personal emergency for many of them.

Their courage, together with the dedication of the emergency responders, public authorities and civilians who stood on the front line of the crisis, reminds us that the ultimate purpose of all our efforts, whether on Earth or in space, is to serve and protect humanity.

On behalf of @ESA and its Member States, I thank you all for your service.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a key capability for the future of space, and @ESA is already demonstrating its value through operational and research projects. Through this strategic cooperation with @MistralAI, we are taking another important step towards reinforcing Europe’s technological leadership and resilience. Together, we aim to develop innovative, secure and trusted AI solutions that benefit the space sector and European society.

🇪🇸A pleasure to meet with Minister @DianaMorantR in Madrid today, following a successful International Space Summit. We discussed how ESA and Spain can continue working together to strengthen Europe’s ambitions in space. As one of ESA’s key Member States, Spain’s leadership and support will be essential as we prepare for #IMM26 and #CM28.

Caught him! ⚡️

Apparently, even Pikachu is powerless to the pull of space #PokemonxESA
esa.int/About_Us/Brand…