Gaia spacecraft of the European Space Agency (THIS), which during 12 years engaged in the creation of a 3D map of the Milky Way, stopped scientific operations 15 January 2025 year due to the lack of cold gas fuel, necessary for the rotation of the device.
Accomplishing the mission
Since the launch in December 2013 year Gaia explored almost 2 billions of stars and collected data on their motion, brightness, temperature and chemical composition.
The first three data sets were published in 2016, 2018 and 2022 years.
The fourth set (GR4), which covers 5,5 years of observations, plan to release by the middle 2026 year.
The final data set (GR5), collected for 10,5 years of work, expected in the late 2020s.
So far, less than a third of the data has been published, and their full analysis will continue until the 2030s.
The future of Gaia
After the completion of scientific operations, Gaia will be used for tests to improve the control of spacecraft. In March or April 2025 year, the apparatus will go into orbit beyond the sphere of influence of the Earth, so as not to interfere with other missions.
ESA promises to share details about the mission's completion and honoring Gaia's achievements.
Gaia remains one of ESA's most important projects, and its data will contribute to scientific discoveries for a long time.
Source: https://www.space.com/goodnight-gaia-star-tracking-spacecraft-shuts-down-jan152025