In July, Euclid, Dark Universe Hunter – Space & Astronomy was released

Euclid, the hunter of the dark side of the universe, is scheduled to be launched this July from Cape Canaveral by the SpaceX Falcon 9. It is a satellite that the European Space Agency (ESA) was preparing to launch in the summer of 2022, but was banned in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine and the consequent breakdown of relations with Russia by both the European Space Agency and Arianespace, the company that manages launches from the European base Kourou (French Guiana). Italy’s role is important, contributing to the mission through the Italian Space Agency (ASI) with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), universities and companies.

“The launch was tentatively scheduled for summer 2022 with Soyuz and we will be able to launch it summer 2023 with Falcon 9,” said Barbara Negri. “Moreover, with all the technological complexities, mission costs kept costs in check.” ASI is responsible for human flight and science experiments. The total cost (including satellite, launch and ground part) is estimated at around 700 million euros, against the 600 million initially expected.