About the UK Space Agency Space Science Programme
Published 4 February 2015
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Our Space Science Programme supports the design, development and operation of scientific payloads and associated ground-based data processing facilities for missions in ESA’s mandatory Science Programme and other international collaborations, with a view to maximising the UK’s economic and scientific return on investment.
The UK currently has major involvement in the development of all five of the selected Medium Class missions in ESA’s long term Cosmic Vision programme:
- M1 Solar Orbiter (Launched 2020)
- M2 Euclid (Launch 2023)
- M3 PLATO (Launch 2026)
- M4 ARIEL (Launch 2029)
- M5 EnVision (Launch early 2030s)
The UK is also making significant contributions to ESA’s Large Class missions:
- L1 JUICE (Launch 2023)
- L2 ATHENA (Launch early 2030s)
- L3 LISA (Launch early 2030s)
In addition, there is a large portfolio of missions currently in operations, including GAIA, launched in 2013.