From autonomous returns to ripples in the fabric of spacetime
In short: 2015 was a landmark year for European space exploration, bookended by two pioneering missions that pushed the boundaries of orbital technology and gravitational physics.
The year opened with the IXV (Intermediate Experimental Vehicle) mission, which successfully demonstrated Europe's capability to return autonomously from space. This served as a critical proof of concept for independent European spaceflight capabilities.
In December 2015, the LISA Pathfinder mission launched to test technologies designed to detect gravitational waves. These waves offer a revolutionary method for observing the universe. Between these milestones, the ESA expanded its reach through increased astronaut missions and satellite upgrades for the Galileo system and Earth Observation programs.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Highlights 2015
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