The 2020s have already seen the launch of ESA's Solar Orbiter mission to take the closest ever images of the Sun, observe the solar wind and the Sun's polar regions like never before, and the dramatic rescue of ESA's Integral Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory satellite following a reaction wheel shutdown caused by charged particles striking it sensitive electronics.

21 NOVEMBER 2011

GALILEO TAKES TO THE SKY

The first two Galileo satellites are launched, establishing the foundation for Europe's answer to the US GPS and Russian Glonass global navigation satellite services.

23 OCTOBER 2013

LAST COMMAND SENT TO PLANCK FROM ESOC