List of objects at Lagrange points

Template:Short description {{#invoke:Hatnote|hatnote}}{{#ifeq:||}} This is a list of known objects which occupy, have occupied, or are planned to occupy any of the five Lagrange points of two-body systems in space.

File:Lagrange very massive.svg

A diagram showing the five Lagrange points in a two-body system

Sun–Earth Lagrange points

Sun–Earth L₁

Template:L1 is the Lagrange point located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth towards the Sun.

Past probes

• International Cometary Explorer, formerly the International Sun–Earth Explorer 3 (ISEE-3), diverted out of Template:L1 in 1983 for a comet rendezvous mission. Currently in heliocentric orbit. The Sun–Earth L₁ is also the point to which the Reboot ISEE-3 mission was attempting to return the craft as the first phase of a recovery mission (as of September 25, 2014 all efforts have failed and contact was lost).<ref>"ISEE-3 is in Safe Mode". Space College. 25 September 2014. "The ground stations listening to ISEE-3 have not been able to obtain a signal since Tuesday the 16th"</ref>
• NASA's Genesis probe collected solar wind samples at Template:L1 from December 3, 2001, to April 1, 2004, when it returned the sample capsule to Earth. It returned briefly in late 2004 before being pushed into heliocentric orbit in early 2005.
• LISA Pathfinder (LPF) was launched on 3 December 2015, and arrived at Template:L1 on 22 January 2016, where, among other experiments, it tested the technology needed by (e)LISA to detect gravitational waves. LISA Pathfinder used an instrument consisting of two small gold alloy cubes.
• The Chang'e 5 orbiter<ref name="auto1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (during extended mission. After ferrying lunar samples back to Earth in 2020, the transport module was sent to Template:L1 where it is permanently stationed to conduct limited Earth-Sun observations.)

Present probes

• The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) in a halo orbit around L1
  • Mission: Investigation of the outer layer of the Sun, making observations of solar wind and associated phenomena in the vicinity of L1, probing the interior structure of the Sun.
  • Launched: 2 December 1995
  • Arrival: Operational orbit in May 1996
  • Institution: File:ESA logo simple.svg ESA
• The Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) in a Lissajous orbit
• WIND (At Template:L1 since 2004)

File:Animation of Deep Space Climate Observatory trajectory.gif

Animation of Deep Space Climate ObservatoryTemplate:'s trajectory from 11 February 2015 to 3 January 2017
Template:Legend2Template:·Template:Legend2Template:·Template:Legend2

• The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), designed to image the sunlit Earth in 10 wavelengths (EPIC) and monitor total reflected radiation (NISTAR). Launched on 11 February 2015, began orbiting L₁ on 8 June 2015 to study the solar wind and its effects on Earth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> DSCOVR is unofficially known as GORESAT, because it carries a camera always oriented to Earth and capturing full-frame photos of the planet similar to the Blue Marble. This concept was proposed by then-Vice President of the United States Al Gore in 1998<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was a centerpiece in his 2006 film An Inconvenient Truth.<ref>Mellow, Craig (August 2014). "Al Gore's Satellite". Air & Space/Smithsonian. Retrieved December 12, 2014.</ref>

• Aditya-L1 was successfully launched on 2 September 2023 and entered the halo orbit around the lagrange point on 6 January 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> It's a Solar observation mission by ISRO. It will study solar atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and their impact on the environment around the Earth.<ref name="it_20230902_liveblog">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Planned probes

• Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe slated for launch in late 2025
• NEO Surveyor
• SWFO-L1
• Vigil (ESA). One spacecraft in L1 and one in L5.

Sun–Earth L₂

Template:AnchorTemplate:L2 is the Lagrange point located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth in the direction opposite the Sun. Spacecraft at the Sun–Earth L₂ point are in a Lissajous orbit until decommissioned, when they are sent into a heliocentric graveyard orbit.Template:Citation needed

Past probes

File:Animation of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe trajectory.gif

Animation of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy ProbeTemplate:'s trajectory from 1 July 2001 to 7 April 2009
Template:Legend2Template:·Template:Legend2

• 2001 – 2010: NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)<ref name="graveyard">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> observed the cosmic microwave background. It was moved to a heliocentric orbit to avoid posing a hazard to future missions.

• 2003 – 2004: NASA's WIND. The spacecraft then went to Earth orbit, before heading to Template:L1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• 2009 – 2013:<ref name=HerschelSource>Template:Cite news</ref> The ESA Herschel Space Observatory exhausted its supply of liquid helium and was moved from the Lagrangian point in June 2013.
• 2009 – 2013: At the end of its mission ESA's Planck spacecraft was put into a heliocentric orbit and passivated to prevent it from endangering any future missions.
• 2011 – 2012: CNSA's Chang'e 2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Chang'e 2 was then placed onto a heliocentric orbit that took it past the near-Earth asteroid 4179 Toutatis.

• The CNSA Chang'e 6 orbiter
• 2013 – 2025: The ESA Gaia mission’s thrusters moved the spacecraft away from L2 on 27 March 2025 and into a stable retirement orbit around the Sun that will minimise the chance that it comes within 10 million km Earth for at least the next century.

Present probes

File:The orbits of Gaia and Webb ESA23998736.png

Gaia and James Webb Space Telescope orbit around Sun-Earth Template:L2

• The joint Russian-German high-energy astrophysics observatory Spektr-RG
• The joint NASA, ESA and CSA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
• The ESA Euclid mission

Planned probes

• The NASA Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (WFIRST)
• The ESA PLATO mission, which will find and characterize rocky exoplanets.
• The JAXA LiteBIRD mission.
• The ESA Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (ATHENA)
• The ESA ARIEL mission, which will observe the atmospheres of exoplanets.
• The joint ESA-JAXA Comet Interceptor
• The NASA Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) which would replace the Hubble Space Telescope.

Cancelled probes

• The ESA Eddington mission
• The NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder mission (may be placed in an Earth-trailing orbit instead)

Sun–Earth L₃

Template:L3 is the Sun–Earth Lagrange point located on the side of the Sun opposite Earth, slightly outside the Earth's orbit. Direct communication with spacecraft in this position is blocked by the Sun.

• There are no known objects in this orbital location. Template:Citation Needed

Sun–Earth L₄

Template:L4 is the Sun–Earth Lagrange point located close to the Earth's orbit 60° ahead of Earth.

• Asteroid Template:Mpl is the first discovered tadpole orbit companion to Earth, orbiting Template:L4; like Earth, its mean distance to the Sun is about one astronomical unit.
• Asteroid Template:Mpl is the second Earth trojan, confirmed in November 2021, oscillating around Template:L4 in a tadpole orbit and expected to remain there for at least 4000 years, until destabilized by Venus.<ref name="Hui2021">Template:Cite journal</ref>
• STEREO A (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory – Ahead) made its closest pass to Template:L4 in September 2009, on its orbit around the Sun, slightly faster than Earth.<ref name="NasaStereo">NASA - Join STEREO and Explore Gravitational "Parking Lots" That May Hold Secret of Moon's Origin</ref>
• OSIRIS-REx passed near the L4 point and performed a survey for asteroids between 9 and 20 February 2017.

Sun–Earth L₅

Template:L5, or Earth-trailing orbit, is the Sun–Earth Lagrange point located close to the Earth's orbit 60° behind Earth.

• Asteroid Template:Mpl, in a horseshoe companion orbit with Earth, is currently proximal to Template:L5 but at a high inclination.
• STEREO B (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory – Behind) made its closest pass to Template:L5 in October 2009, on its orbit around the Sun, slightly slower than Earth.<ref name="NasaStereo"/>
• The Spitzer Space Telescope is in an Earth-trailing heliocentric orbit drifting away c. 0.1 AU per year. In c. 2013–15 it has passed Template:L5 in its orbit.
• Hayabusa2 passed near Template:L5 during the spring of 2017, and imaged the surrounding area to search for Earth trojans on 18 April 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Proposed

• Vigil (ESA). One spacecraft in L5.

Earth–Moon Lagrange points

Earth–Moon L2

• THEMIS
• Chang'e 5-T1
• Queqiao relay satellite
• EQUULEUS nanosat.

Earth–Moon L4 and L5

• Kordylewski clouds<ref name="sliz-balogh et al">Template:Cite journal</ref>
• Future location of TDRS-style communication satellites to support Template:L2 satellite and further regions on the Moon.<ref name="TychoESAmoonlight">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="TychoVideo">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Past probes

• Hiten was the first spacecraft to demonstrate a low energy trajectory, passing by Template:L4 and Template:L5 to achieve lunar orbit at a very low fuel expense, compared to usual orbital techniques. Hiten did not find any conclusive increase in dust density at Lagrange points.<ref>"Hiten", NSSDC.GSFC.NASA.gov.</ref>

Proposed objects

• Exploration Gateway Platform
• In his 1976 book The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space Dr. Gerard O'Neill proposed the establishment of gigantic Space Islands in Template:L5. The inhabitants of the L5 Society should convert lunar material to huge solar power satellites. Many works of fiction, most notably the Gundam series, involve colonies at these locations.

Sun–Venus Lagrange points

L4

• Template:Mpl

Sun–Mars Lagrange points

Asteroids in the Template:L4 and Template:L5 Sun–Mars Lagrangian points are sometimes called Mars trojans, with a lower-case t, as "Trojan asteroid" was originally defined as a term for Lagrangian asteroids of Jupiter. They may also be called Mars Lagrangian asteroids.

L4

• Template:Mpl

L5

• 5261 Eureka
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl, Template:Mpl, Template:Mpl (not confirmed as true Lagrangian asteroids)

Source: Minor Planet Center [1]

Sun–Ceres Lagrange points

• 1372 Haremari
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl

Sun–Jupiter Lagrange points

Asteroids in the Template:L4 and Template:L5 Sun–Jupiter Lagrangian points are known as Jupiter Trojan asteroids or simply Trojan asteroids.

L4

• Trojan asteroids, Greek camp

L5

• Trojan asteroids, Trojan camp

L4 and L5

• Lucy (spacecraft), L4 in 2027, L5 in 2033

Saturn–Tethys Lagrange points

L4

• Telesto

L5

• Calypso

Saturn–Dione Lagrange points

L4

• Helene

L5

• Polydeuces, follows a "tadpole" orbit around L₅

Sun–Uranus Lagrange points

L3

• 83982 Crantor, follows a horseshoe orbit around L₃

L4

• Template:Mpl<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
• Template:Mpl

Sun–Neptune Lagrange points

Minor planets in the Template:L4 and Template:L5 Sun–Neptune Lagrangian points are called Neptune trojans, with a lower-case t, as "Trojan asteroid" was originally defined as a term for Lagrangian asteroids of Jupiter.

Data from: Minor Planet Center [2]

L4

• 385571 Otrera
• 385695 Clete
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl

L5

• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl
• Template:Mpl

Tables of missions

Color key:
Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline

Lagrangian point missions

Mission	Lagrangian point	Agency	Description
International Sun–Earth Explorer 3 (ISEE-3)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	NASA	Launched in 1978, it was the first spacecraft to be put into orbit around a libration point, where it operated for four years in a halo orbit about the Template:L1 Sun–Earth point. After the original mission ended, it was commanded to leave Template:L1 in September 1982 in order to investigate comets and the Sun.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Now in a heliocentric orbit, an unsuccessful attempt to return to halo orbit was made in 2014 when it made a flyby of the Earth–Moon system.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20140808">Template:Cite news</ref>
Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	NASA	Launched 1997. Has fuel to orbit near L1 until 2024. Operational Template:As of.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	NASA	Launched on 11 February 2015. Planned successor of the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite.
LISA Pathfinder (LPF)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	ESA, NASA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> LISA Pathfinder was deactivated on 30 June 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	ESA, NASA	Orbiting near L1 since 1996. Operational Template:As of.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
WIND	Sun–Earth Template:L1	NASA	Arrived at L1 in 2004 with fuel for 60 years. Operational Template:As of.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)	Sun–Earth Template:L2	NASA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> then sent to solar orbit outside L2.<ref>http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/events.html WMAP Ceases Communications</ref>
Herschel Space Telescope	Sun–Earth Template:L2	ESA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Planck Space Observatory	Sun–Earth Template:L2	ESA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chang'e 2	Sun–Earth Template:L2	CNSA	Arrived in August 2011 after completing a lunar mission before departing en route to asteroid 4179 Toutatis in April 2012.<ref name="auto"/>
ARTEMIS mission extension of THEMIS	Earth–Moon Template:L1 and Template:L2	NASA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
WIND	Sun–Earth Template:L2	NASA	Arrived at L2 in November 2003 and departed April 2004.
Gaia Space Observatory	Sun–Earth Template:L2	ESA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Operational Template:As of.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chang'e 5-T1 Service Module	Earth–Moon Template:L2	CNSA	Launched on 23 October 2014, arrived at L2 halo orbit on 13 January 2015.<ref name="auto1"/>
Queqiao	Earth–Moon Template:L2	CNSA	Launched on 21 May 2018, arrived at L2 halo orbit on June 14 for Chang'e 4 mission.<ref name=queqiao>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Queqiao is the first ever communication relay and radio astronomy satellite at operating its location.<ref name="P Society Luyuan Xu">Template:Cite news</ref>
Spektr-RG	Sun–Earth Template:L2	IKI RAN DLR	Launched 13 July 2019. Roentgen and Gamma space observatory. Operational as of June 2020.<ref name=esaSpektrRG>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chang'e 5 Service Module	Sun–Earth Template:L1	CNSA	Launched on 23 November 2020, arrived at L1 halo orbit on 15 March 2021.
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)	Sun–Earth Template:L2	NASA, ESA, CSA	Launched on 25 December 2021, arrived at L2 point on 24 January 2022. Operational as of 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Euclid	Sun–Earth Template:L2	ESA, NASA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Aditya-L1	Sun–Earth Template:L1	ISRO	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was successfully inserted into an orbit about Sun-Earth L1 point on 6 January 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chang'e 6 Service Module	Sun–Earth Template:L2	CNSA	Launched on 3 May 2024, arrived at L2 halo orbit on 9 September 2024.

Future and proposed missions

Template:Sronly

Mission	Lagrangian point	Agency	Description
"Lunar Far-Side Communication Satellites"	Earth–Moon Template:L2	NASA	Proposed in 1968 for communications on the far side of the Moon during the Apollo program, mainly to enable an Apollo landing on the far side—neither the satellites nor the landing were ever realized.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Space colonization and manufacturing	Earth–Moon Template:L4 or Template:L5	—	First proposed in 1974 by Gerard K. O'Neill<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and subsequently advocated by the L5 Society.
EQUULEUS	Earth–Moon Template:L2	University of Tokyo, JAXA	6U CubeSat, launch planned in 2021 as a secondary payload onboard SLS Artemis 1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DESTINY+	Earth–Moon Template:L2	JAXA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Exploration Gateway Platform	Earth–Moon Template:L2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || NASA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (WFIRST)	Sun–Earth Template:L2	NASA, USDOE	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
LiteBIRD	Sun–Earth Template:L2<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || JAXA, NASA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	NASA	Planned for launch in early 2025.
Space Weather Follow On - Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1)	Sun–Earth Template:L1	NOAA	Planned for launch in early 2025 as a rideshare to IMAP.
Planetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO)	Sun–Earth Template:L2	ESA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA)	Sun–Earth Template:L2	JAXA, ESA, SRON	Template:As of, awaiting approval from both Japanese and European side, launch proposed for 2032.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA)	Sun–Earth Template:L2	ESA	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ESA Vigil	Sun–Earth Template:L5	ESA	Observatory for early warning of increased solar activity. Launch planned for 2029.
Sun Chaser<ref name="Sun Chaser">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Sun–Earth Template:L4	—	Observatory for early warning of solar particle events. Early proposal phase.
Spektr-M	Sun–Earth Template:L2	Roscosmos	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• Trojan (celestial body)
• Co-orbital configuration