In the future, other key ESA scientific projects include:
Huygens probe; XMM, CLUSTER II, INTEGRAL; MARS EXPRESS; ROSETTA and FIRST/Planck.
ESA's HUYGENS probe is currently en route to Saturn's enigmatic moon aboard NASA's Cassini orbiter (launched on 15 October 1997). After a seven year journey, in November 2004 Hugyens will parachute down through Titan's clouds to the surface, analysing the physical and chemical environment. Titan is particularly fascinating to scientists because it is thought to resemble a very young Earth.
XMM, ESA's X-ray observatory is the biggest science satellite ever built in Europe. The telescope's mirrors are the most powerful ever developed in the world. With its sensitive detectors it will see more than any previous X-ray satellite. Its name stems from the design of its mirrors, a masterpiece of engineering, the highly nested X-ray Multi-Mirrors (XMM). It is due for launch at the end of 1999.
