Josef Aschbacher
@AschbacherJosef • 37,561 subscribers
@ESA Director General - taking European space to the next level
Videos
Artemis III will push the boundaries of spacecraft operations in orbit. European Space Agency 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 Luca Parmitano
Josef Aschbacher35,068 views • 18 days ago
Celeste is in orbit!🚀 ESA’s first two #Celeste demo satellites have successfully launched on Rocket Lab’s Electron from New Zealand, starting tests of a complementary #LEO layer for #Galileo to boost resilience and unlock new PNT services. Bravo to all teams involved and a heartfelt thank you to the European teams turning ambition into reality!
Josef Aschbacher56,757 views • 3 months ago
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.
Josef Aschbacher12,674 views • 16 days ago
Artemis is the story of a partnership of nations. Europe plays a mission-critical role. At the centre of this mission is Orion: the spacecraft that will be the crew’s home in deep space. What keeps Orion alive and moving is the European Service Module – provided by European Space Agency. For the first time in more than 50 years, humans are going back to the Moon. ESA, with its Member States, will go down in history as being indispensable in the telling of this story. And this is just the beginning. ESA is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with its international partners. Together, we are extending humankind’s presence beyond Earth. No matter the circumstances, we believe cooperation remains our most powerful engine for the future.
Josef Aschbacher31,429 views • 3 months ago
From the ishaan to millions on Earth🌍, Adenot Sophie reminds us on #IWD2026 that no dream is too big. Representation and diversity in STEM are essential to pushing boundaries and inspiring the next generation of Europe’s engineers and innovators – no matter what they look like or where they come from. Pushing boundaries. Lifting Europe higher. Inspiring the masses. #Epsilon #Crew12 #InternationalWomensDay
Josef Aschbacher21,357 views • 3 months ago
Today and tomorrow ESA Member States will choose the space solutions that help us observe, understand and protect our planet. Their decisions will determine how space supports European industry, defence and security, when Europe returns to the Moon, and whether Europe leads in discovering extraterrestrial life and unlocking the Universe’s mysteries. Having Commissioner Andrius Kubilius here both days is a clear indication that Europe’s future in space will be stronger if we stay united. Follow the opening statements of #CM25 live 👉
Josef Aschbacher25,767 views • 7 months ago
Space is no longer merely an enabler: it is a frontline. From communications to security, our assets are essential, exposed, and must be protected. At European Space Agency, resilience in space means preparedness, responsibility, and ultimately deterrence. This is the challenge we face, and the discussion we open today. Watch my keynote from Day 2 at the #EuropeanSpaceConf or access the transcript here:
Josef Aschbacher18,240 views • 5 months ago
At ESA’s 3rd Security Conference earlier this year in Warsaw, I warned that Europe was facing unprecedented security threats. Recent events have only confirmed this notion. Russian drones have repeatedly violated EU airspace, posing serious risks to citizens and critical infrastructure. At the same time, persistent PNT jamming continues to endanger air traffic safety, most recently during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Bulgaria. These developments combined with rising geopolitical instability globally and wavering US support in Europe, underscore that the threat to our security has not diminished and that urgent, coordinated action is needed. In this moment of rapid change, there is a critical need to synchronise European initiatives by aligning space for defence competencies, avoiding duplication and pooling resources for scale. We still remain too fragmented to guarantee Europe with genuine, comprehensive and autonomous space resilience. We have an opportunity to change that, and we must. With the European Resilience from Space proposal at ESA's Ministerial Council 2025 in November, ESA provides the means. Read about the Space for European Resilience conference organised under the auspices of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2025: @eu2025dk #CM25
Josef Aschbacher24,387 views • 8 months ago
Europe has been shy in coming to terms with the legitimate role cooperative space plays in our security and in our geostrategic independence. It is now quite clear, however, that Europe’s space and defence autonomy has become one of our Continent’s foremost priorities. Andrius Kubilius and I have a plan for a coordinated effort to increase European space resilience from space. Our vision is long-term, structured, bold and an important step in permanently integrating security in our collective space efforts. The European Parliament and the European Commission, in collaboration with European Space Agency, organised the ‘General Assembly Defence, Space and Cybersecurity’ to promote dialogue between European and national decision-makers, and industry representatives in the context of the unprecedented geopolitical challenges that the European Union is facing. Watch my full intervention here
Josef Aschbacher19,321 views • 9 months ago
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