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Are you up for some climbing? In this episode of Earth from Space, Sentinel-2 takes us over Mount Makalu in the Himalayas where Swedish explorer, mountaineer and climate campaigner, Carina Ahlqvist, led a climb this year. Earth from Space is presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. See also http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/06/Mount_Makalu_Himalayas to download the image. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Discover more about our planet with the Earth from Space video programme. In this special edition, ESA’s Aeolus Project Manager, Anders Elfving, joins us in the cleanroom at Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, to talk about the challenges in developing the mission’s pioneering laser technology. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more about Aeolus: http://bit.ly/AeolusESA

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst spoke to European media from the International Space Station on 12 June 2018, just three days after docking with the orbiting outpost. The press conference was held at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, and was mainly in German. Alexander answered questions on climate, how it feel to be in space a second time, and the football World Cup. This is Alexander’s second six-month stay on the International Space Station. The mission is called Horizons as a symbol for the unknown and what lies beyond. The mission further cements ESA’s know-how for living and working off-planet. Alexander will be testing ways of operating and working with robots to develop techniques required for further human and robotic exploration of our Solar System such as commanding rovers while orbiting another planet. The Horizons science programme is packed with European research: Alexander will take part in over 50 experiments to deliver benefits to people on Earth as well as prepare for future space exploration. Many of these experiments will take place in Europe’s Columbus laboratory that is celebrating its 10th anniversary in space this year. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Follow Alexander and the Horizons mission on social media via http://bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on http://bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA.

After orbiting Earth 34 times to catch up to the International Space Station, the car-sized spacecraft carrying ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Roscosmos commander Sergei Prokopyev, arrived at the Station two days after launch. The German astronaut is a returning visitor to the International Space Station, the first of ESA’s 2009 class of astronauts to be sent into space for a second time. During the second part of his mission Alexander will take over as commander of the International Space Station, only the second time an ESA astronaut will take on this role so far. The mission is called Horizons as a symbol for the unknown and what lies beyond – reflecting on ESA’s strategy to extend human and robotic exploration beyond Earth orbit. While in space, Alexander will work on over 50 European experiments, including testing ways of operating and working with robots to develop techniques required for further human and robotic exploration of our Solar System. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Follow Alexander and the Horizons mission on social media via bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on http://bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA.

Celebrate World Oceans Day over the Atlantic Ocean and the Cabo Verde islands in this episode of Earth from Space, presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. See also http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/06/Cabo_Verde to download to download the image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Going to space is not an easy thing. Here are the highlights of the preparations and liftoff for the Horizons mission with ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst. At 11:12 GMT (13:12 CEST) on 6 June 2018, Alexander was launched into space alongside NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Roscosmos commander Sergei Prokopyev in the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Follow Alexander and the Horizons mission on social media via http://bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on http://bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA.

At 11:12 GMT (13:12 CEST), 6 June 2018, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst was launched into space alongside NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Roscosmos commander Sergei Prokopyev in the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Follow Alexander and the Horizons mission on social media via bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA.

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst talks from Baikonur Cosmodrome, just a couple of days before his second launch to the International Space Station for the Horizons mission. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Follow Horizons launch: http://bit.ly/FollowHorizonsLaunch

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst is about to return to to the International Space Station. His last trip occurred four years ago in May 2014 making him the first of ESA’s 2009 class of astronauts to be sent into space for a second time. Since then he has been busy preparing for his next mission called Horizons. Continuous training helps astronauts to be mentally prepared to handle emergencies. Alexander will be launched into space alongside NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Roscosmos commander Sergei Prokopyev in the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft. The trio will blast off from Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan and will arrive at the International Space Station two days later, marking the start of Alexander’s Horizons mission. The mission is called Horizons as a symbol for the unknown and what lies beyond. As part of all Space Station missions, scientific experiments make up a large part of the astronauts’ time to broaden our horizons as humankind. During the second part of his mission Alexander will take over as commander of the International Space Station, only the second time an ESA astronaut will take on this role so far. The Space Station allows for long-term studies with humans in microgravity. ESA’s Columbus research module has been doing so since 2008 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Follow Alexander and the Horizons mission on social media via bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Explore over northern Italy, from the Alps and Lake Maggiore to the western outskirts of Milan, in this episode of Earth from Space, presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. See also http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/06/Italian_Alps_and_plains to download to download the image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

The Rosetta mission completed operations in September 2016, but the science is still going strong. Rosetta project scientist, Matt Taylor, gives a preview on the hottest science topics being discussed at the 49th Rosetta science workshop this week, and how the results will help guide future cometary exploration. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more about Rosetta: http://bit.ly/RosettaMissionESA

5G, the next generation of communication services, will deliver ultra-fast speeds, connect all people and devices to the internet and minimise delays. It will affect everybody, changing the way we communicate, work and interact with technology. Space has an invaluable role to play in the 5G ecosystem. Satellites can extend, enhance, and provide reliability and security to 5G like no other, helping to deliver its promise of global, ubiquitous connectivity, with no noticeable difference to the end-user. ESA’s Satellite for 5G (S45G) programme aims promote the value-added benefits of space to 5G, by developing and demonstrating integrated satellite- and terrestrial-based 5G services, across multiple markets and use cases. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/5GSatellliteESA

Meet ESA astronaut, Alexander Gerst, and see him prepare for his next ISS mission: Horizons. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more about Horizons: http://bit.ly/HorizonsAlexanderGerst

Our alien friend Paxi, ESA Education's mascot, went to visit American astronaut Mark Vande Hei on board the International Space Station. Vande Hei shows Paxi the views outside of the Cupola, the biggest window on Earth in the International Space Station. Credit: ESA/NASA ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Visit ESAKids: http://bit.ly/ESAKids

Explore the Philippines' Mount Mayon, one of the world's most active volcanoes, in this episode of Earth from Space, presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. See also http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Mount_Mayon_Philippines to download the image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Join Paxi as he explores the greenhouse effect to learn about global warming. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe The adventures of Paxi are also available in the following languages: 🇨🇿 https://youtu.be/jLO-6B4efr8 🇩🇰 https://youtu.be/tl0F4JEanCo 🇳🇱 https://youtu.be/vCSHFGvKdf4 🇫🇮 https://youtu.be/G_Tne4eIWPQ 🇫🇷 https://youtu.be/99_x2nYfvKY 🇩🇪 https://youtu.be/7tEODAlOIZY 🇮🇹 https://youtu.be/RR30r52uQmQ 🇳🇴 https://youtu.be/K9BJfsgIMcE 🇵🇱 https://youtu.be/3oYYDXW1mMc 🇵🇹 https://youtu.be/r7S3Wqgl1JQ 🇷🇴 https://youtu.be/i_DAxjw9bS4 🇪🇸 https://youtu.be/0IYozXSfHDs 🇸🇪 https://youtu.be/ytbUoRBSe6M

Gå med i Paxi när han utforskar växthuseffekten för att lära sig om global uppvärmning. ★ Prenumerera: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Únete a Paxi mientras explora el efecto invernadero para aprender sobre el calentamiento global. ★ Suscríbete: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Alăturați-vă Paxi explorând efectul de seră pentru a afla despre încălzirea globală. ★ Abonati-va: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Junte-se a Paxi enquanto ele explora o efeito estufa para aprender sobre o aquecimento global. ★ Inscrever-se: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Dołącz do Paxi, badając efekt cieplarniany, aby dowiedzieć się więcej o globalnym ociepleniu. ★ Subskrybować: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Bli med Paxi når han undersøker drivhuseffekten for å lære om global oppvarming. ★ Abonnere: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Unisciti a Paxi mentre esplora l'effetto serra per conoscere il riscaldamento globale. ★ Sottoscrivi: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Begleiten Sie Paxi, während er den Treibhauseffekt erforscht, um etwas über die globale Erwärmung zu erfahren. ★ Abonnieren: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Rejoignez Paxi alors qu'il explore l'effet de serre pour en savoir plus sur le réchauffement climatique. ★ Souscrire: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Liity Paxiin, kun hän tutkii kasvihuoneilmiötä saadakseen tietoa ilmaston lämpenemisestä. ★ Merkitä: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Sluit je aan bij Paxi terwijl hij het broeikaseffect verkent om meer te weten te komen over het broeikaseffect. ★ Abonneren: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Deltag i Paxi, da han udforsker drivhuseffekten for at lære om global opvarmning. ★ Tilmeld: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Připojte se k Paxi, když zkoumá skleníkový efekt, abyste se dozvěděli o globálním oteplování. ★ Předplatit: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

See in this time-lapse how the Sentinel-3B satellite was prepared for its liftoff on 25 April 2018 from Plesetsk in Russia. Sentinel-3B joined its twin, Sentinel-3A, in orbit. The pairing of identical satellites provides the best coverage and data delivery for Europe’s Copernicus programme – the largest environmental monitoring programme in the world. The satellites carry the same suite of cutting-edge instruments to measure oceans, land, ice and atmosphere. Credits: Directed by Stephane Corvaja, ESA; Edited by Manuel Pedoussaut, Zetapress; Music by Hubrid-Rockot ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Watch the first set of images taken by Sentinel-3B http://bit.ly/FirstImagesSentinel3B

BepiColombo is one step closer to Mercury! The component parts of BepiColombo, the European Space Agency’s first mission to Mercury, have been delivered to the launch site in French Guiana by air, sea and road. The joint mission between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) consists of two orbiters and one transfer module. It required 70 shipping containers and four cargo planes to ensure it was safely delivered to the European Spaceport at Kourou. Everything will now be unpacked and re-assembled, together with the addition of solar panels, before launching to Mercury later this year. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/ESAsBepiColombo

Astronomy is undergoing a revolution with the release of precision data on 1.7 billion stars in our galaxy from the Gaia space telescope. We head to the historic Observatory of Paris and ESA's ESTEC base in the Netherlands to find out more. It's fair to say that science has been waiting for centuries, or even millennia for such a detailed survey of the Milky Way, and right now star-gazers are swamped with fresh, high-quality data that they can use to answer every question about the galaxy they ever wanted to ask. This video is also available in the following languages: German: https://youtu.be/I7EHdEnXGi4 French: https://youtu.be/dJRPGaS3VB4 Italian: https://youtu.be/hyOdUHRCDYA Spanish: https://youtu.be/BCP4xg6sGeY Portuguese: https://youtu.be/OeBMRQmojXc Greek: https://youtu.be/Ra0BOhFJ4NU Hungarian: https://youtu.be/-PYmrCk1iwM ★ Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/GaiaRickestStarMap

Nesta edição de "Space", a partir do Observatório de Paris, vamos encontrar-nos com astrónomos que trabalham numa missão especial do telescópio Gaia, que tem vigiado mais de mil milhões de estrelas da nossa galáxia, tentando dar resposta a alguns dos mistérios da Via Láctea. ★ Inscreva-se no nosso canal: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Saber mais: http://www.esa.int/por/ESA_in_your_country/Portugal/Gaia_cria_o_mapa_estelar_mais_completo_da_nossa_Galaxia_-_e_mais_alem

Abbiamo incontrato all'Osservatorio di Parigi gli astronomi che lavorano per Gaia, una missione eccezionale che ha già mappato oltre un miliardo di stelle della nostra galassia, per cercare di risolvere alcuni dei misteri della Via Lattea. ★ Iscriviti al nostro canale: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Los datos de las 1700 millones de estrellas de nuestra galaxia del telescopio espacial Gaia están revolucionando la astronomía. En este episodio de Space nos vamos al histórico Observatorio de París y el centro de la ESA en los Países Bajos para saber qué está pasando. ★ Suscríbete a nuestro canal: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Más información: http://www.esa.int/esl/ESA_in_your_country/Spain/Gaia_crea_el_mapa_estelar_mas_completo_de_nuestra_Galaxia_y_mas_alla

Dans cette édition de Space, nous partons dans les étoiles : les astronomes qui utilisent le télescope spatial européen Gaia ont élaboré un catalogue d'un milliard d'étoiles de la Voie lactée, ouvrant la voie à de nouvelles décennies de découvertes. ★ Abonnez-vous à notre chaîne: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Apprendre encore plus: http://www.esa.int/fre/ESA_in_your_country/France/Gaia_dresse_le_catalogue_le_plus_complet_des_etoiles_de_notre_galaxie_et_d_au-dela

Astronomen haben mit Daten vom Weltraumteleskop Gaia eine Himmelskarte mit mehr als einer Milliarde Sternen erstellt - mehr als genug Material für Jahrzehnte der Forschung. ★ Abonniere unseren Kanal: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Mehr erfahren: http://www.esa.int/ger/ESA_in_your_country/Germany/Gaia-Daten_liefern_genaueste_Karte_unserer_Galaxie_und_der_unmittelbaren_Nachbarschaft

A Gaia-űrtávcső milliónyi adatának elemzésével sokkal közelebb jutnak a csillagászok alapvető kérdések megválaszolásához. Ez derül ki Jeremy Wilks párizsi riportjából. ★ Csatlakozzon a csatornánkhoz: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Στο Αστεροσκοπείο του Παρισιού, στην καρδιά της γαλλικής πρωτεύουσας, χτυπά η καρδιά του διαστημικού προγράμματος Γαία (Gaia), που έχει στόχο τη μελέτη ενός δισεκατομμυρίου αστεριών του γαλαξία μας. Οι αστρονόμοι που δουλεύουν σ' αυτό, προσπαθούν να λύσουν κάποια από τα μυστήρια του σύμπαντος. ★ Εγγραφείτε στο κανάλι μας: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

The Space Storm Hunter, also known as the Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor, completed its trip to space in a Dragon cargo vehicle in April 2018. This video shows the different stages of that voyage, from launch to installation on the International Space Station. The suite of instruments rode in the Dragon cargo vehicle that was launched on 2 April from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. After orbiting Earth for two days, Dragon positioned itself below the Station for capture. ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen played a crucial role at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston as lead ‘capcom’ during Dragon’s rendezvous and berthing. Operators on Earth commanded the International Space Station’s 16-m long robotic arm to move the 314-kg facility from the Dragon spacecraft’s cargo hold to its place of operation on Europe’s Columbus laboratory on 13 April. It is the first time that such a set of sensitive cameras, light sensors and X- and gamma-ray detectors will study the anatomy of luminous phenomena in Earth’s upper atmosphere and bursts of high-energy radiation. Data from this observatory will improve our understanding of the effect of thunderstorms on the atmosphere and contribute to more accurate climate models. Credits: ESA ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: bit.ly/ESAASIM

Earth from Space is presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. In this edition : Sentinel-2 takes us over the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel in northern France. See also http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Mont_Saint-Michel_France to download the image.

ExoMars is ready for Martian science! ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter mission arrived at Mars in October 2016. After a year spent carefully adjusting its position, the spacecraft is now beginning its science operations. The Trace Gas Orbiter’s instruments will be able to look through the atmosphere to identify trace gases – in particular methane – which could indicate signs of past or even present life. The orbiter will also act as a relay for rovers on the Martian surface. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/ESAExoMars

Activities surrounding the departure of ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) of the joint ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury, from ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The video features the final preparations of the MPO in the ESA cleanroom, including removal of ground support equipment from a science instrument, and sealing the module inside its shipping container. The containers travelled by road to Amsterdam Schiphol airport, where they boarded an Antonov cargo plane for transport to French Guiana. Three additional cargo planes carried JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter and ESA’s Mercury Transfer Module, along with the spacecraft solar arrays, sunshield, and essential ground support equipment to the Spaceport. The upcoming launch window is open 5 October – 29 November 2018. Find out more about the BepiColombo mission on bit.ly/ESAsBepiColombo Credits: ESA ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Follow Bepi: http://bit.ly/BepiTwitter Follow MMO: http://bit.ly/MMOTwitter Follow MTM: http://bit.ly/MTMtwitterESA

Earth from Space is presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. In this edition Sentinel-2B takes us over the Columbia Glacier, one of the most rapidly changing glaciers in the world. See also https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Columbia_Glacier to download the image. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

This movie, based on images taken by ESA’s Mars Express, showcases the 102 km wide Neukum Crater in the southern hemisphere of Mars. The crater is named for the German physicist and planetary scientist, Gerhard Neukum, one of the founders of ESA’s Mars Express mission who inspired and led the development of the high-resolution stereo camera on Mars Express. This complex impact crater has a diverse geologic history, as indicated by various features on the crater rim and floor. Particularly striking are the dark dune fields, likely made up of volcanic material blown in and shaped by strong winds. The crater’s shallow interior has been infilled by sediments over its history. It is also marked with two irregular depressions that may be a sign of a weaker material that has since eroded away, leaving behind some islands of more resistant material. Over time the crater rim has undergone varying degrees of collapse, with landslides and slumped material visible in the crater walls. Many smaller craters have also overprinted the rim and pockmarked the interior since Neukum Crater was formed, highlighting its long history. Neukum Crater is situated in Noachis Terra, one of the oldest known regions on Mars, dating back to at least 3.9 billion years. Credits: Animation: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO; Music: Coldnoise, CC BY-SA 4.0 and Adrian Neesemann ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/ESACraterNeukum

The space telescope CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite) instrument has left a clean room in Switzerland, where it was assembled and tested, and is now in Madrid for further launch preparations. The telescope will study hundreds of known exoplanets using the transit method - measuring the dip in light as a planet transits its parent star. CHEOPS will herald a new era of discovery. Its precision measurements will give more detailed information about a planet’s structure, atmosphere and surface temperature. It was built at the University of Bern and the mission is a partnership between ESA and Switzerland with additional contributions from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Integration and testing of the CHEOPS spacecraft is ongoing and the project is on track to reach flight readiness by the end of 2018. This film contains soundbites from Willy Benz, CHEOPS principal investigator, ESA/University of Bern and Andrea Fortier, Cheops Instrument Scientist, ESA/University of Bern. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: bit.ly/ESACHEOPS

‘Horizons’ is the name of ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst’s second mission to the International Space Station. The mission name evokes exploring our Universe, looking far beyond our planet and broadening our knowledge. Alexander would also like to make people realise that there is always a chance to go beyond their personal horizons. Alexander will be launched on 6 June with US astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Prokopyev from the Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan in the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft. Alexander will take over command of the International Space Station for the second half of his mission. Alexander Gerst is the 11th German citizen to fly into space. The astronaut is now in the last stages of training for his challenging spaceflight. The science programme is packed with European research: more than 50 experiments will deliver benefits to people back on Earth and prepare for future space exploration. Credits: ESA ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/HorizonsOverview

Earth from Space is presented by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels from the ESA Web TV virtual studios. In this edition, Sentinel-2B takes us over the Emi Koussi volcano in northern Chad. See also http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/05/Emi_Koussi to download the image. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe

Apart from Antarctica, Patagonia is home to the biggest glaciers in the southern hemisphere, but some are retreating faster than anywhere else in the world. This is because the weather is relatively warm and these glaciers typically terminate in fjords and lakes, exacerbating surface melting and causing them to flow faster and lose ice as icebergs at their margins. Traditionally, it has been very difficult to map exactly how fast these glaciers are changing. However, a new way of processing ESA CryoSat swath data now makes it possible to map these glaciers in fine detail. CryoSat has revealed that between 2011 and 2017, there was widespread thinning, particularly in Patagonia’s more northern ice fields. The Jorge Montt glacier, which flows down to the ocean, retreated 2.5 km and lost about 2.2 Gt a year. In contrast, Pio XI, the largest glacier in South America, advanced and gained mass at a rate of about 0.67 Gt a year. However, over the six-year period, the glaciers overall lost mass at a rate of over 21 Gt a year. This loss is adding about 0.06 mm a year to sea level. © Planetary Visions (credit: ESA/Planetary Visions) ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/CryosatRevealsRetreatOfPatagoniaGlaciers

Spacecraft in orbit and on Mars’s surface have made many exciting discoveries, transforming our understanding of the planet and unveiling clues to the formation of our Solar System, as well as helping us understand our home planet. The next step is to bring samples to Earth for detailed analysis in sophisticated laboratories where results can be verified independently and samples can be reanalysed as laboratory techniques continue to improve. Bringing Mars to Earth is no simple undertaking—it would require at least three missions from Earth and one never-been-done-before rocket launch from Mars. A first mission, NASA’s 2020 Mars Rover, is set to collect surface samples in pen-sized canisters as it explores the Red Planet. Up to 31 canisters will be filled and readied for a later pickup – geocaching gone interplanetary. In the same period, ESA’s ExoMars rover, which is also set to land on Mars in 2021, will be drilling up to two meters below the surface to search for evidence of life. A second mission with a small fetch rover would land nearby and retrieve the samples in a Martian search-and-rescue operation. This rover would bring the samples back to its lander and place them in a Mars Ascent Vehicle – a small rocket to launch the football-sized container into Mars orbit. A third launch from Earth would provide a spacecraft sent to orbit Mars and rendezvous with the sample containers. Once the samples are safely collected and loaded into an Earth entry vehicle, the spacecraft would return to Earth, release the vehicle to land in the United States, where the samples will be retrieved and placed in quarantine for detailed analysis by a team of international scientists. Credits: NASA/ESA ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: http://bit.ly/BringingMartianSoilToEarth