Mission Archive

ESA · 2013

Sun–Earth L2

An ESA mission that measured the positions, distances and motions of nearly two billion stars to build the most precise three-dimensional map of the Milky Way.

ESA · 2005

Venus

ESA's first mission to Venus, which studied the planet's atmosphere and clouds from orbit for eight years, far beyond its planned 500 days.

ESA · 2004

67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, Šteins, Lutetia

An ESA mission that became the first to orbit a comet, following 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko for two years and delivering the Philae lander to its surface.

ESA · 2003

Mars

ESA's first mission to another planet. Its orbiter has studied Mars since 2003, finding water ice at the south pole and signs of liquid water beneath it.