Ariel Archive
Analysing exoplanet atmospheres
The mission
ESA’s mission Ariel, Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, will inspect the atmospheres of a thousand planets in our galaxy orbiting stars other than the Sun. Ariel will reveal the ingredients of their atmospheres and the presence of clouds, and monitor how weather conditions change over time. From rocky to gas-giant exoplanets, Ariel will deepen our understanding of these distant worlds.
The launch
- Launch: planned for 2029
- Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 6
- Orbit: halo orbit around Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2
- 1000 exoplanets
- 2 instruments
- 1400 kg launch mass
- 0.64 m2 collecting area
