© ESA/NASA

ESA has transferred all operation and exploitation activities of the European part of the International Space Station (ISS) to Astrium. As prime contractor, Astrium is leading a European consortium of some 40 companies from the ten European countries involved in the International Space Station.

© ESA

Since 1990, the space probe Ulysses has exploring the sun’s surface and the region close to the sun, investigating the structure and variations of the heliosphere. It was the first spacecraft ever to fly across the two poles of the sun, and its findings have revolutionised our understanding of the sun’s effects on the solar system. Now, after over 17 years in service, this remarkable mission reaches retirement in July.

Astrium, under whose leadership the spacecraft was built on behalf of ESA, is extremely proud of its involvement in this exceptional programme.