Gaia in the UK

Taking the Galactic Census

Gaia starts routine operations

Following the In-Orbit Commissioning Review on 18 July, on 25 July Gaia started routine operations phase, ESA announced today. In order to carry out calibrations, Gaia will operate in the ecliptic-poles scanning mode for 28 days before starting to scan using the nominal scanning law. Updated scientific performance estimates have been calculated and the data release scenario has been revised using the commissioning phase findings.

You can find more information about the results of the commissioning phase in "Gaia: 'Go' for science" and "Commissioning review: Gaia ready to start routine operations".

Page last updated: 05 July 2021