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Gaia Spacecraft Bids Farewell, Leaves Milky Way Legacy

4/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

After an impressive 11-year mission, the European Space Agency bid farewell to the Gaia Spacecraft on March 27, 2025, as it ran out of propellant. Gaia's legacy includes a breathtaking 3D map of the Milky Way, cataloging 1.46 billion celestial objects and revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. Exciting data releases will continue to unfold until the 2030s.

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Story summary

After an impressive 11-year mission, the European Space Agency bid farewell to the Gaia Spacecraft on March 27, 2025, as it ran out of propellant. Gaia's legacy includes a breathtaking 3D map of the Milky Way, cataloging 1.46 billion celestial objects and revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. Exciting data releases will continue to unfold until the 2030s.