The planned shutdown of the Gaia spacecraft by ESA due to low fuel and its relocation to a graveyard orbit.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that its Gaia spacecraft will be shut down on March 27, 2025, due to depleting fuel reserves. The mission has been significant for astrometry, mapping stars, and gathering data from its position at Earth's L2 Lagrange point. ESA plans to relocate Gaia into a final graveyard orbit to avoid future space debris in this crucial area of space, ensuring that upcoming missions are not hindered by inactive spacecraft. This proactive approach emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in space exploration and mission planning.
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