Cheops

The mission

Cheops is ESA's CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite. It is the first space mission dedicated to studying bright, nearby stars that are already known to host exoplanets, in order to make high-precision observations of the planet's size as it passes in front of its host star. It focuses on planets in the super-Earth to Neptune size range, with its data enabling the bulk density of the planets to be derived – a first-step characterisation towards understanding these alien worlds.

The launch

Launch date: 18 December 2019
Launch site: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
Launch vehicle: Soyuz-Fregat
Orbit: Sun-synchronous, dusk-dawn orbit at 700 km above Earth