David Sassoli called on EU leaders to deliver on promises on the travel certificate and tackle inequality in the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The President of the European Parliament made the plea at the start of the European Council on 24 June. He told the heads of state and government there was the prospect […]
Read MoreUnique exoplanet photobombs Cheops study of nearby star system
While exploring two exoplanets in a bright nearby star system, ESA’s exoplanet-hunting Cheops satellite has unexpectedly spotted the system’s third known planet crossing the face of the star. This transit reveals exciting details about a rare planet “with no known equivalent”, say the researchers. The discovery is one of the first results from ESA’s Cheops (CHaracterising […]
Read MoreNew R&D project to focus on interoperability standards for unmanned systems
The implementation of INTERACT (‘Interoperability Standards for Unmanned Armed Forces Systems’), a project selected under the 2019 call for proposals for the EU Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) managed by EDA, was officially launched at an online kick-off meeting on 21 June 2021. The aim of this 1.5 M€ project, financed by the European Commission, is […]
Read MoreColourful plastics to increase greenhouse production
Increasing the productivity of greenhouses is the objective of a project of the University of Almeria that uses colored plastic and ventilation to change the climatic conditions of greenhouses and play with the radiation that reaches the crop. The aim is to increase humidity and temperature conditions and increase productivity with clean energy without impacting […]
Read MoreWhy are squid and very tiny animals being sent into Earth’s orbit?
NASA launches baby squid and water bears to the International Space Station (ISS). From worms to quail, the ISS has housed all kinds of creatures great and small over the years. Animal research in space is about to welcome some new members to the club. Aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, 128 baby glow-in-the-dark bobtail squid […]
Read MoreEmerging propulsion technologies for air and space
Last week, experts from 18 EDA Member States participated in an online workshop organised by the Agency to identify and discuss emerging propulsion technologies for the air and space defence domain. The Technology Foresight Workshop on Propulsion for Air and Space, conducted from 1 to 3 June, is part of a wider ongoing series of […]
Read MoreProtein-rich legumes and quinoa in the plant-based food alternatives spotlight
EU-funded researchers say chickpeas, fava beans, lentils and quinoa are ideal crops for cultivation in Europe and could help the shift towards a more nutritional, environmentally friendly and sustainable food system. Not all crops are traded across the globe. Some are only important at a regional level and are typically eaten as part of local […]
Read MoreNew EDA helicopter training simulator inaugurated
Last week (26 May), a new helicopter mission simulator installed at EDA’s helicopter training centre at Sintra Airbase in Portugal was officially inaugurated during a joint visit by Portuguese Defence Minister João Gomes Cravinho, EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý, EU Military Committee (EUMC) Chairman General Claudio Graziano as well as representatives from all EU Member […]
Read MoreA trusted and secure Digital Identity for all Europeans
The Commission proposed a framework for a European Digital Identity which will be available to all EU citizens, residents, and businesses in the EU. Citizens will be able to prove their identity and share electronic documents from their European Digital Identity wallets with the click of a button on their phone. They will be able […]
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