Space telescopes·ESA

CHEOPS

ActiveLaunched in 2019·Earth orbit — 98 min

A small European telescope measuring the size of known exoplanets with extreme precision, to derive their density and nature.

Main objectives

Did you know?

CHEOPS does not hunt new planets: it refines the size of known ones, like a tailor taking measurements.

Timeline

Dec 18, 2019

Launch

Soyuz lift-off from Kourou, French Guiana.

Jan 29, 2020

First light

The cover opens and the 32 cm telescope captures its first target.

Jan 09, 2024

HD 110067 system

Confirmation of six resonant planets.

[01]

Photometer

A 32 cm telescope measuring the dip of a transit.

Mass273 kg

OrbitSun-synchronous orbit (700 km)

Aperture32 cm

[03]

DiscoveryMajor
"Perfect" planetary system HD 110067
CHEOPS confirmed six resonant planets around HD 110067, a system almost unchanged since its formation.
Jan 09, 2024ESA/CHEOPS ↗
MilestoneNotable
HD 110067 system
Confirmation of six resonant planets.
Jan 09, 2024
MilestoneNotable
First light
The cover opens and the 32 cm telescope captures its first target.
Jan 29, 2020