‘Exploring the Solar System with the European Space Agency’

The European Space Agency operates a fleet of spacecraft throughout the solar system, studying the Sun and the Earth’s magnetic field, orbiting Mars, Saturn, and Comet 67P/CG, with new missions under construction that will go close to the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter and its icy moons, and drive on and drill beneath the surface of Mars in search of signs of life. Other telescopes now being constructed will study planets around distant stars. This lecture explores some key recent results from existing missions, and discusses the exciting findings anticipated from those being built.