From Asteroid Impacts to Solar Coronagraphs: A Pivotal Year for European Space Exploration
In 2024, the European Space Agency is redefining its reach. With the debut of the heavy-duty Ariane 6, the return of the Vega-C launcher, and ambitious missions like Proba-3 and Hera, Europe is securing its independent access to space while pushing the boundaries of solar and planetary science.
The year 2024 marks a significant transition for the European Space Agency following the 2023 retirement of the Ariane 5 launcher. The agency’s strategy centers on the debut of Ariane 6, a versatile heavy-duty rocket designed to maintain Europe’s legacy of reliable space access. Simultaneously, the Vega-C lightweight launcher is scheduled for a return-to-flight, ensuring that Europe retains a diverse and affordable portfolio for orbital missions. These projects are fundamental to the agency’s goal of guaranteeing independent access to space.
Scientific ambition remains high throughout the year. The Proba-3 mission will demonstrate precision formation-flying by positioning two spacecraft to form a 144-meter coronagraph, allowing researchers to study the Sun’s corona with unprecedented proximity to the solar rim. Meanwhile, the Hera mission is set to visit the binary asteroid system of Didymos and Dimorphos, providing a detailed look at the aftermath of the impact caused by NASA’s Dart mission. Additionally, the agency continues its international collaboration on the Artemis lunar program, with the European Service Module ESM-3 slated for shipment to the United States.
Earth observation and navigation also see major updates. The agency is preparing for the launch of several satellites, including the ESA/JAXA EarthCARE mission, the Arctic Weather Satellite, and the Copernicus Sentinel-1C and 2C satellites. Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system, is expanding its constellation with four first-generation satellites scheduled for launch in 2024, while simultaneously beginning hardware deliveries for the second-generation fleet. These efforts, combined with the completion of basic training for the 2022 astronaut class, reflect a comprehensive expansion of European capabilities in orbit and beyond.
Finally, the year features notable human spaceflight activity. Swedish project astronaut Marcus Wandt joined the Axiom-3 commercial mission in January, facilitating a brief overlap in space with ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who concluded his six-month stay on the International Space Station in February. These missions underscore the ongoing integration of European astronauts into the broader international space community.
Source: 2024: a year of launches
