ESA's Gaia mission is set for lift off from Kourou to produce an unprecedented 3D map of our Galaxy by mapping, with exquisite precision, the position and motion of a billion stars.

Lift off is currently scheduled for 10:12 CET, 19 December 2013, on top of a Soyuz launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou.

This highlight video provides background scenes from Kourou, showing final integration of the launcher, installation of the aerodynamic fairing, mating of the upper composite to the launcher and roll out to the launch pad. It also includes statements by Giuseppe Sarri, ESA's Gaia Project Manager, and Timo Prusti, ESA's Gaia Project Scientist.