Ariel Mission: A Significant Step Forward

The Ariel mission, focused on studying exoplanets, has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). This milestone is crucial towards the planned launch in 2029. The Czech Republic, along with experts from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the scientific team from the Research Center for Special Optics and Optoelectronic Systems (TOPTEC) in Turnov, plays a significant role.

The team involved in the project prepared 179 technical documents and responded to 364 questions from the European Space Agency (ESA) within nine months. All aspects of the mission were thoroughly tested to ensure their technical and scientific feasibility. ESA confirmed the successful closure of the PDR phase for the payload of the Ariel satellite.

The collaboration of more than 50 institutions from 16 ESA member states, including the Czech Republic, enables the Ariel project to move into the next phase. The involvement of NASA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency has recently been confirmed.

The Ariel project opens new possibilities in space research. It's a success not only for the Czech Republic but also for the entire space community.