CHEOPS exoplanet-observing satellite launch, illustration. CHEOPS is the European Space Agency (ESA)'s CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite. Here, the payload is separating from the faring and upper stage. The payload section contains CHEOPS and several other satellites in a Soyuz-Fregat launch configuration. The launch took place from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 08:54 GMT on 18 December 2019. CHEOPS will spend around 4 years studying transiting exoplanets orbiting bright and nearby stars.