ESA

Timeline

1. 3 Sep2026
   Science and tech

   BepiColombo's transfer module separates, starting arrival phase at Mercury¹²

   The ESA-JAXA probe launched in 2018. Its Mercury Transfer Module separated on 3 September 2026, starting the arrival phase; Mercury orbit insertion is due on 21 November 2026 and the science phase in April 2027.

   • Mercury Transfer Module separated on 3 September 2026
   • Orbit insertion scheduled for 21 November 2026
   • Nominal science phase from April 2027
   • Launched 2018
2. 18 Aug2026
   Science and tech

   Sophie Adenot becomes first French woman to spacewalk³⁴⁵

   French ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot became the first French woman to spacewalk on 18 August 2026, working with NASA's Anil Menon for about six hours to remove a failed ISS communications antenna; the replacement was installed in a second spacewalk on 25 August.

   • Spacewalk on 18 August 2026; Adenot is 44
   • Removed a broken ground-communications antenna; the replacement could not be installed that day
   • Second spacewalk on 25 August installed and connected the spare antenna (about 6 h 30 min)
   • Second European woman to spacewalk after Samantha Cristoforetti (2022)

Exercise.Quizzes on ESA and every other topic arrive on Telegram six times a day, and what you get wrong comes back.

Practise on Telegram

Sources

1. ESA
2. Space.com
3. Euronews
4. Qatar Tribune
5. NASA