Hope-01 mission patch, 2025

ESA astronauts Ariane Montclair and Thomas Cross are assigned to fly aboard the Horizon Shuttle IV to Persephone in October 2060. Their mission, Hope-01, carries a name that echoes the planet’s own – symbolising humanity’s enduring hope in the face of escalating climate challenges on Earth.

Though Persephone is a cold and hostile world, it harbours a mysterious heat source that allows liquid water to exist. This anomaly offers the tantalising possibility of a new habitat for humankind. Europe’s objective is to assess the planet’s habitability and its potential to support life.

The patch design reflects this ambition. On the left is Persephone, depicted as a distant world illuminated by a subtle glow – hinting at the hidden warmth beneath its surface. Two luminous arcs trace the journey from Earth to Persephone, with the Horizon Shuttle IV shown en route among the stars.

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.