http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 26 May 2013 04:55:35 +0200 Sun, 26 May 2013 04:55:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/esa-mulls-new-alliance-as-china-becomes-space-leader-a-882212.html#ref=rss As America has reduced its space funding and capabilities, the European Space Agency has turned to the new rising power in space: China. Though obstacles remain, collaboration could one day take a European-Chinese crew to the moon. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:17:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/esa-mulls-new-alliance-as-china-becomes-space-leader-a-882212.html As America has reduced its space funding and capabilities, the European Space Agency has turned to the new rising power in space: China. Though obstacles remain, collaboration could one day take a European-Chinese crew to the moon.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-space-agency-agrees-to-further-develop-ariane-rockets-a-868552.html#ref=rss The European Space Agency has a new budget and member states have also set aside a bitter debate over the future of the Ariane rocket, the program's commercial workhorse. All sides are happy -- and Russia may even benefit from the deal. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:57:22 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-space-agency-agrees-to-further-develop-ariane-rockets-a-868552.html The European Space Agency has a new budget and member states have also set aside a bitter debate over the future of the Ariane rocket, the program's commercial workhorse. All sides are happy -- and Russia may even benefit from the deal.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-german-american-project-peeks-into-the-birthplace-of-stars-a-866029.html#ref=rss Astronomers have long had a basic understanding of how stars are formed. But observing and proving the theory has proven elusive. Now, a German-American project, complete with an infrared telescope mounted on an old Pan Am 747, is providing new insights. Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/a-german-american-project-peeks-into-the-birthplace-of-stars-a-866029.html Astronomers have long had a basic understanding of how stars are formed. But observing and proving the theory has proven elusive. Now, a German-American project, complete with an infrared telescope mounted on an old Pan Am 747, is providing new insights.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/austrian-group-tests-mars-space-suit-a-831024.html#ref=rss Volunteers and professionals at the Austrian Space Forum are testing a prototype Mars space suit in a series of ice caves that provide conditions similar to those on the Red Planet. Humanity is still far away from a manned mission to the planet, but the enthusiasts here believe it will actually happen one day. Wed, 02 May 2012 19:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/austrian-group-tests-mars-space-suit-a-831024.html Volunteers and professionals at the Austrian Space Forum are testing a prototype Mars space suit in a series of ice caves that provide conditions similar to those on the Red Planet. Humanity is still far away from a manned mission to the planet, but the enthusiasts here believe it will actually happen one day. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/cleaning-up-the-cosmos-swiss-develop-satellite-to-dispose-of-space-junk-a-815698.html#ref=rss Scientists warn that the amount of space debris orbiting the planet has reached a dangerously high level. But a new miniature satellite has been designed to clean up this cosmic clutter -- by the paragons of tidiness themselves, the Swiss. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:30:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/cleaning-up-the-cosmos-swiss-develop-satellite-to-dispose-of-space-junk-a-815698.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/challenging-america-europe-seeks-space-cooperation-with-china-a-812273.html#ref=rss Europe's space industry, cash-strapped as a result of the debt crisis, wants to step up cooperation with China, which has an ambitious program and is building a moon-landing vehicle and capsules for manned missions. Such an alliance would likely cause tensions with the US. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:26:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/challenging-america-europe-seeks-space-cooperation-with-china-a-812273.html Europe's space industry, cash-strapped as a result of the debt crisis, wants to step up cooperation with China, which has an ambitious program and is building a moon-landing vehicle and capsules for manned missions. Such an alliance would likely cause tensions with the US.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/directly-in-its-path-german-satellite-almost-crashed-into-beijing-a-812297.html#ref=rss Last October, the German research satellite Rosat plunged into the Bay of Bengal, more than 20 years after it had been launched into orbit. But had it remained aloft for just seven more minutes, it would have landed in Beijing instead, new calculations show. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:37:44 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/directly-in-its-path-german-satellite-almost-crashed-into-beijing-a-812297.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/collision-course-europe-developing-asteroid-shield-a-811658.html#ref=rss A new consortium of EU researchers is exploring options for dealing with an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Plenty of ideas are already on the table, such as deflection with projectiles or explosives and using gravity to pull it off course. But the project's complexity and costs are problematic. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:06:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/collision-course-europe-developing-asteroid-shield-a-811658.html A new consortium of EU researchers is exploring options for dealing with an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Plenty of ideas are already on the table, such as deflection with projectiles or explosives and using gravity to pull it off course. But the project's complexity and costs are problematic.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/expensive-autonomy-europe-s-overpriced-navi-system-heads-for-space-a-793035.html#ref=rss It is years behind schedule. But on Friday, two satellites belonging to the European navigation system Galileo are heading into orbit. The system promises to be more precise than anything currently available. But Europe has paid dearly for its autonomy. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/expensive-autonomy-europe-s-overpriced-navi-system-heads-for-space-a-793035.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-marriage-of-cosmic-convenience-russia-and-europe-launch-a-tricky-partnership-a-792300.html#ref=rss For the first time, a Russian Soyuz rocket will lift off from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana this week. The site's proximity to the equator allows the rocket to carry larger payloads into space. But technical problems and cultural differences have plagued the partnership. Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-marriage-of-cosmic-convenience-russia-and-europe-launch-a-tricky-partnership-a-792300.html For the first time, a Russian Soyuz rocket will lift off from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana this week. The site's proximity to the equator allows the rocket to carry larger payloads into space. But technical problems and cultural differences have plagued the partnership.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/top-european-astronaut-thomas-reiter-we-have-to-go-through-this-bottleneck-a-783102.html#ref=rss The recent Soyuz rocket failure could spell bad news for the International Space Station. Thomas Reiter, one of Europe's most experienced astronauts, speaks with SPIEGEL about the crash, what it means for the ISS program and the future of European space exploration. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:19:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/top-european-astronaut-thomas-reiter-we-have-to-go-through-this-bottleneck-a-783102.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/outdated-in-outer-space-russia-s-soyuz-program-crashes-and-burns-a-783210.html#ref=rss Last week's Soyuz crash was just the latest in a series of embarrassing mishaps for Russia's space industry, which is plagued by quality problems and an ageing workforce. With no other way to get astronauts into orbit, the operation of the International Space Station is now in question. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:52:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/outdated-in-outer-space-russia-s-soyuz-program-crashes-and-burns-a-783210.html Last week's Soyuz crash was just the latest in a series of embarrassing mishaps for Russia's space industry, which is plagued by quality problems and an ageing workforce. With no other way to get astronauts into orbit, the operation of the International Space Station is now in question.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/revelations-from-secret-documents-soviets-risked-gagarin-s-life-for-first-space-flight-a-756445.html#ref=rss Previously secret documents reveal that the Soviets were willing to risk the life of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in the rush to beat the Americans into space. They show a series of defects that happened during the first manned space flight on April 12, 1961 -- including Gagarin almost not being able to open the breathing valve on his spacesuit. Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:03:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/revelations-from-secret-documents-soviets-risked-gagarin-s-life-for-first-space-flight-a-756445.html Previously secret documents reveal that the Soviets were willing to risk the life of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in the rush to beat the Americans into space. They show a series of defects that happened during the first manned space flight on April 12, 1961 -- including Gagarin almost not being able to open the breathing valve on his spacesuit.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gagarin-s-legacy-russia-seeks-to-restore-space-glory-a-756382.html#ref=rss Fifty years ago, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel to space. His historic trip gave the Soviet Union the lead in manned space missions. By investing billions, Moscow wants to defend its position as a world leader in space travel. Can the Russians overcome a spate of technical glitches and modernize their space program? Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gagarin-s-legacy-russia-seeks-to-restore-space-glory-a-756382.html Fifty years ago, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel to space. His historic trip gave the Soviet Union the lead in manned space missions. By investing billions, Moscow wants to defend its position as a world leader in space travel. Can the Russians overcome a spate of technical glitches and modernize their space program?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/east-german-cosmonaut-sigmund-jaehn-capitalism-now-reigns-in-space-a-756497.html#ref=rss Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight. In a SPIEGEL interview, legendary East German cosmonaut Sigmund Jähn talks about what it was like being the first German in space and the future of space travel. Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:15:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/east-german-cosmonaut-sigmund-jaehn-capitalism-now-reigns-in-space-a-756497.html Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight. In a SPIEGEL interview, legendary East German cosmonaut Sigmund Jähn talks about what it was like being the first German in space and the future of space travel.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/soyuz-rockets-in-the-jungle-europe-and-russia-team-up-for-unique-space-partnership-a-748942.html#ref=rss This summer should see the first Russian Soyuz rockets launched from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Although the arrangement is beneficial for both sides, the project itself is fraught with complexity, delays and reservations. Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:09:58 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/soyuz-rockets-in-the-jungle-europe-and-russia-team-up-for-unique-space-partnership-a-748942.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/space-junk-will-german-satellite-crash-into-earth-a-748107.html#ref=rss Parts of Rosat, a massive, out-of-control German satellite, could smash into the earth sometime between October and December this year. Officials in Germany, however, say that humans likely are not in danger. Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/space-junk-will-german-satellite-crash-into-earth-a-748107.html Parts of Rosat, a massive, out-of-control German satellite, could smash into the earth sometime between October and December this year. Officials in Germany, however, say that humans likely are not in danger.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/johannes-kepler-blasts-off-europe-s-biggest-ever-space-payload-goes-into-orbit-a-746104.html#ref=rss The freighter <i>Johannes Kepler</i> is on its way to the International Space Station. The unmanned ship, the heaviest load ever carried into orbit by a European rocket, will dock automatically with the ISS using laser-guided technology. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:34:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/johannes-kepler-blasts-off-europe-s-biggest-ever-space-payload-goes-into-orbit-a-746104.html The freighter Johannes Kepler is on its way to the International Space Station. The unmanned ship, the heaviest load ever carried into orbit by a European rocket, will dock automatically with the ISS using laser-guided technology.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life-are-we-all-martians-a-735000.html#ref=rss NASA scientists recently announced they had discovered an organism that uses arsenic instead of phosphorus in its metabolism. The geologist Dirk Schulze-Makuch talked to SPIEGEL about the implications of the findings and the likelihood that life could exist on other planets. Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:37:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life-are-we-all-martians-a-735000.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-twin-earths-of-gliese-581-two-exoplanets-may-support-life-a-721840.html#ref=rss Two planets similar to Earth have been discovered circling the dwarf star Gliese 581. Scientists believe the pair could be habitable and using new, super telescopes, astronomers are now searching for signs of life. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:56:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-twin-earths-of-gliese-581-two-exoplanets-may-support-life-a-721840.html Two planets similar to Earth have been discovered circling the dwarf star Gliese 581. Scientists believe the pair could be habitable and using new, super telescopes, astronomers are now searching for signs of life.]]>