Plato, Europe’s exoplanet hunter, will lift off in early 2027

ESA's telescope has passed its tests. It will leave Kourou on an Ariane 6, a little later than planned.

First announced for late 2026, the launch of the Plato space telescope is now expected in early 2027, according to ESA. It will lift off from the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on board an Ariane 6.

The spacecraft has successfully passed its vibration and acoustic tests. Its mission: to spot Earth-like planets around other stars.

It will travel to the L2 Lagrange point, 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.

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