Gaia Spacecraft Concludes Historic Mission Mapping the Milky Way

The European Space Agency's groundbreaking mission ends after 11 years, leaving an unprecedented legacy of galactic data and discoveries.

Gaia has completed its primary mission, mapping the Milky Way with over three trillion observations of two billion stars and other celestial objects since 2014.
The spacecraft's data has revolutionized understanding of the galaxy, revising models of spiral arms, interstellar dust, and the rotation of the central bar.
Gaia's discoveries include the heaviest stellar black hole in the Milky Way, detailed asteroid orbits, and the largest 3D map of quasars to date.
Two additional data releases are planned: one in 2026 and a final release at the end of the decade, covering the mission's full 10.5 years of observations.
With its fuel nearly depleted, Gaia will undergo technology tests before being moved to a retirement orbit and passivated to prevent interference with other missions.