European Space Agency Director General Joseph Eschbacher briefed journalists about the main milestones of 2026, such as the launch of Smile, a mission that will give mankind a full picture for the first time of how the Earth reacts to streams of particles and bursts of radiation from the Sun. Later in 2026, BepiColombo should also arrive at Mercury after its eight-year journey, where it will collect data to answer many puzzling questions about the inner Solar System’s least-explored planet. Many more exciting missions are expected, including the launch of ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot to the International Space Station, and various Earth observation and navigation launches from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana.
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