ESA books Ariane 6 to launch PLATO, the rocket's first science mission and first trip to L2

European Space Agency/PLATO

ESA and Arianespace signed the launch agreement for PLATO at the European Space Conference in Brussels. The telescope was to fly on the two-booster Ariane 6 from French Guiana at the end of 2026, heading for the Sun-Earth L2 point 1.5 million km away.

• First science mission for Ariane 6 and its first launch to L2.
• Signed by ESA science director Carole Mundell, transport director Toni Tolker-Nielsen and Arianespace.
• Launch target at signing: end of 2026 (since moved to March 2027).