INTEGRAL, International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory, will observe gamma-ray sources within our Galaxy and across the Universe. Gamma-ray astronomy explores the most energetic phenomena that occur in nature and Integral's sources include among others exploding stars, black holes, gamma-ray bursts and pulsars. Integral is to be launched in 2001 by a Russian Proton launcher, from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
SMART-1 is the first of the Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology of ESA Horizon 2000 science plan. SMART-1 is due for launch in late 2002 and will orbit around the moon for about six months. The mission is to demonstrate innovative technologies for future deep-space missions, such as the Mercury orbiter, for which solar electric propulsion is essential.
