The European space science community is involved in every important step in Cosmic Vision. So far, they have taken part in the selection of the themes and proposed the candidate missions. They have assisted with the task of assessing the preliminary studies conducted by industry for M-class missions and to a similar activity for the L-class missions. Consortia of European institutes have carried out instrument studies for the M- and L-class candidate missions. Once the SPC selects the missions that will go forward for implementation, Europe's scientists will build many of the instruments that will fly on the spacecraft. During the operational life of the missions, they will be part of the team that plans mission activities and operates the instruments. The final step will be for them to deliver the science results to the world.

Current status of S-, M- and L-class missions