Subject line: search for extrasolar planets around bright stars

Responsibility of the mission: ESA

Date of launch: 2026

 

Description

PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillations of stars), is the third medium-class scientific mission selected by the European Space Agency in the framework of the ESA Cosmic Vision 2015-2025. Plato is a satellite equipped with 34 small telescopes, targeted at searching for extrasolar planets around bright stars. PLATO will detect the extremely small reduction of brightness of a star when a planet transits in front of it and will also be able to determine the radius of the planet and study the characteristics of the mother star.

Compared to similar missions which preceded it, PLATO will observe several planets around bright stars, for which it is possible to carry out complementary observations from Earth with the purpose of determining the mass of the planet and, subsequently, its density.

PLATO will be crucial to progress in the physics of exoplanets and star physics.

The mission is added to Solar Orbiter and Euclid, which were chosen in 2011 as the first ESA medium-class missions. Solar Orbiter will closely study the Sun, with the purpose of better understanding the phenomena characterising its nature and its cycles, while Euclid will investigate on the matter and dark energy composing the Universe.

 

Scientific goals

The main goal of the mission is identifying extrasolar planets similar to Earth, through the method of transit, and measuring the oscillations of stars around their orbit with the purpose of determining with unprecedented accuracy their mass, radius and age.

 

Italian participation

PLATO will give a prominent role to made-in-Italy science and technology, especially in the fields of optics and electronic systems. The Italian contribution is funded by the Italian Space Agency, which will also provide a segment of the data processing centre, is supervised by the ASI Science Data Center and sees the participation of Italian researchers, as regards both the PLATO Payload Consortium, which will be in charge of designing and developing the telescopes, focal plane instruments and electronics and on-board computers, and the PLATO Science Consortium, which will be in charge of assessing the mission performance and will supervise the preparation of the scientific programme. The responsible person for Italy is Giampaolo Piotto, from the Department of Astronomy of the University of Padua.

The 34 telescopes of PLATO were designed by the team coordinated by Roberto Ragazzoni, astronomer from the INAF – Observatory of Padua and professor of Optics at the University of Padua.

‣ News

SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2025

The Italian Space Agency at the official inauguration ceremony of the African Space Agency ‣

On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the African Space Agency (AfSA), the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was represented by the Director General, Luca Salamone, who brought the Italian greetings on a historic day for the African continent and for the international space community. MORE...

MONDAY 07 APRIL 2025

ASI at the 40th Space Symposium ‣

Colorado Springs (CO, USA) from April 7-10, 2025 MORE...

MONDAY 07 APRIL 2025

COSMO-SkyMed monitoring of Santorini volcano ‣

ASI and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki have started a scientific collaboration to monitor Santorini volcano in Greece MORE...

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025

Renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for Kenyan personnel at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre ‣

  The Luigi Broglio Space Centre (BSC) in Malindi hosted the final negotiation meeting today for the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A) covering the period 2025–2028. Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), participated via videoconference, while the ASI negotiating delegation—comprising Alessandro Preti, Director of Human Resources; Dalila Sabato, Head of the Union Relations Service; Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi Site; and Maurizio Toninelli from the Malindi Site—signed the new agreement alongside Antony Rajoro, Secretary General of the Kenya Scientific, Research, International, Technical and Institutions Workers Union (KRISTAIWU). Also present was Joseph Kagotho Muriithi, representing the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). Opening the meeting remotely, the Director General expressed appreciation for the efforts of both the Kenyan Union representatives and ASI’s negotiating team, stating: “Today is an important milestone for all of us. The signing of this Collective Bargaining Agreement strengthens the relationship between ASI and its employees. Over the next four years, this agreement will provide a foundation of clear and mutually agreed-upon guidelines, fostering a stable and harmonious work environment where everyone can contribute their best.” Alessandro Preti, ASI’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “This agreement is a testament to the power of constructive dialogue and the pursuit of balanced solutions. Our goal remains to cultivate a strong and motivating workplace—one that values the dedication of its employees and ensures their contributions drive the success of our organization.” Both KRISTAIWU’s Secretary General and KSA’s representative expressed their satisfaction with the agreement reached. Following the signing, Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi site (BSC), along with the rest of the ASI negotiating delegation and Union representatives, held a meeting with local BSC employees to present and explain the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.