HOPE-01

ESA astronauts Ariane Montclair and Thomas Cross are preparing for launch on the Hope-01 mission – the first crewed expedition to Persephone, the ninth planet at the edge of our Solar System.

Discovered on 12 March 2028, Persephone revealed a harsh, frozen landscape – a planet shrouded in darkness and silence. But within this icy expanse, scientists identified an anomalous thermal ‘source’ generating enough heat to sustain liquid water – and possibly life.

In the face of escalating climate disruption and its global impact on Earth, ESA made the historic decision in 2050 to lead a new era of planetary exploration. Hope-01 marks humankind’s boldest step yet: to assess the habitability of a distant world, almost twice the size of Earth, and to secure knowledge that could shape the future of life beyond our home planet.

While Hope-01 is a fictional mission, it was created as part of a unique collaboration between ESA and the video game developer Don’t Nod, to bring scientific imagination to life in Aphelion – a sci-fi action-adventure game set for release in 2026. Developed with inspiration from real ESA missions and values, the story reflects how space exploration can spark curiosity, connect people, and help us reimagine our future.