<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/esc/thumbnails/Herschel-Planck_POD_01-12-08_S.jpg" align="right" style="padding:5px"&gt;Herschel, the largest telescope ever launched, will study objects within and outside our Galaxy. It will be able to peer through clouds of gas and dust and observe stars as they form. Unlike Herschel, Planck will rotate continuously about its axis, scanning the whole sky to compile the most detailed and complete map ever of the Cosmic Microwave Background, or CMB. This CMB radiation is the relic radiation left over from the Big Bang, which occurred about 14 thousand million years ago. Herschel and Planck will be launched together atop an Ariane 5 rocket in spring 2009.&lt;p&gt;ESApod video programme</description>

Herschel will share its launch with a partner, the Planck microwave space observatory, as it begins its journey to its destination in space. The two satellites are now undergoing their final tests before launch

Herschel and Planck

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/esc/thumbnails/Food_and_satellites_S.jpg" align="right" style="padding:5px"&gt;Data on the climate and vegetation cover collected by ESA’s Earth observation satellites are proving to be an invaluable tool to fight food scarcity. With the aid of Earth observation data, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations state that, in Ethiopia there has been four successive years of increased cereal production. This shows that Earth observation data is leading to better understanding of the conditions that affect crops and grazing pastures, both fragile but vital components in African food production. At the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, satellite data are used to follow vegetation coverage and weather conditions virtually in real-time. That gives scientists a valuable forecasting tool and to some degree, an early-warning system. In addition, at ESA's Centre for Earth Observation just outside Rome, satellite data are being used to map vegetation coverage on an unprecedented scale. This map provides the FAO and the UN with a precise and up-to-date view of global vegetation coverage.&lt;p&gt;ESApod video programme</description>

With a growing global population ensuring food security in the world's poorer countries is a major concern – one that is being eased the help of data from Earth observation satellites such as Envisat

Food and satellites: Keeping an eye on food production

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/esc/thumbnails/Dordain_interview_S.jpg" align="right" style="padding:5px"&gt;On 25 and 26 November in The Hague, Ministers in charge of space activities within the now 18 ESA Member States and Canada meet to define the role of space in delivering Europe's global objectives. In a dedicated interview, ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain explains the situation in space today and tomorrow and what ESA proposes in front of the current context of economical crisis. Jean-Jacques Dordain defines the priorities for Europe in space, talks about new programmes and how ESA will evolve.&lt;p&gt;ESApod video programme</description>

On 25 and 26 November in The Hague, Ministers in charge of space activities within the now 18 ESA Member States and Canada meet to define the role of space in delivering Europe's global objectives

Ministerial conference: Interview with ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/esc/thumbnails/science_past_and_future_S.jpg" align="right" style="padding:5px"&gt;Since the very first satellites carrying scientific instruments were launched, our understanding of the cosmos has improved. The Sun is studied to the core and, beyond our star, the Universe is becoming less obscure. Knowledge of the Universe relates directly to humanity’s future. Over decades, ESA’s science programme has been conducted with long-term vision and, on many occasions, in international partnerships. The Cosmic Vision initiative is now paving the way for future missions that will launch starting in 2015. Understanding the nature of dark matter, bringing back samples of an asteroid, returning to the moons of Saturn or Jupiter, and establishing whether life existed on Mars, are difficult choices with budgets that are not indefinitely expandable. Priorities have to be set, responsibilities shared, and work must be done in international teams. In pursuing its Space Science effort, Europe is consolidating its technological know-how in many, often unrelated disciplines. The spirit of adventure and exploration also fires the imagination of youngsters, prompting their interest in science.&lt;p&gt;ESApod video programme</description>

Since the very first satellites carrying scientific instruments were launched, our understanding of the cosmos has improved. The Sun is studied to the core and, beyond our star, the Universe is becoming less obscure

ESA Science: past and future

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/esc/thumbnails/ATV_NEXT_STEP_POD_14-11-08_S.jpg" align="right" style="padding:5px"&gt;The successful docking of the European Columbus module and the launch of the Automated Transfer Vehicle have opened a new era for Europe’s presence in space with the aspiration to consolidate its independence. Now, ESA is working on a proposed programme to develop new versions of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The projects ESA is considering are essentially based on a re-use of the ATV's service module and the replacement of the integrated cargo carrier with a re-entry capsule. This would allow for atmospheric re-entry, bringing down to the Earth first some cargo and then in the future a complete crew. ESA and its industrial partners will have to develop new technologies to satisfy other crucial requirements, such as the ejection system to ensure the absolute safety of a space capsule’s crew in case of an anomaly on the launch pad or during its ascent phase.&lt;p&gt;ESApod video programme</description>

The successful docking of the European Columbus module and the launch of the Automated Transfer Vehicle have opened a new era for Europe’s presence in space with the aspiration to consolidate its independence

ATV, the next step

Multimedia news and information from the European Space Agency including human space flight, space science, Earth observation, ground control and mission operations. Current deep-space missions include Mars Express, Venus Express and Rosetta, Europe's comet chaser. Produced by the ESA Communications Department. ESA Portal: http://www.esa.int

ESApod, audio and video from space

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