ESA Concludes 'Gaia' Mission After Over a Decade of Galactic Discovery

The spacecraft's shutdown marks the end of active operations, but its data will fuel astronomical research for years to come.

'Gaia', launched in 2013, was officially shut down by the European Space Agency on March 27, 2025, after more than ten years of operation.
The mission created the most detailed 3D map of the Milky Way, observing over 2.5 billion stars and uncovering groundbreaking insights into the galaxy's structure and history.
Key discoveries include evidence of a galactic collision 5.7 billion years ago that may have influenced the solar system's formation and the identification of warped edges of the Milky Way.
The spacecraft uncovered numerous black holes and exoplanets, with further discoveries anticipated from data releases planned for 2026 and 2030.
Despite its shutdown, 'Gaia's' legacy endures, providing a foundation for future astronomical research, though no successor mission is expected before 2045.