GaiaNIR

GaiaNIR is the name of one concept for a follow-on to the Gaia mission. Its two goals are to continue astrometric observations and to extend such astrometric observations further into the near infrared. At this point, it is in discussion: one presentation of the concept suggests it would take place in the 2040s.

Such an additional, later collection of data will improve on our astrometric map beyond what has been achieved with Gaia. This is naturally evident regarding proper motions, but is true for all its astrometric measurements, even if the additional observations are no more accurate or precise than Gaia's, through the use of statistical techniques to make best use of multiple otherwise-redundant measurements to compensate somewhat for the effects of the limits on measurement precision.

Near-infrared capability gives it the ability to observe more stars, many missed by Gaia due to extinction, and it would be able to observe cool stars such as red dwarfs at a greater distance (and the vast majority of stars are red dwarfs). At the time of Gaia's development, state-of-the-art visible light CCDs were significantly better than the analogous near-infrared-sensitive sensor arrays. The latter have improved significantly, and improvement will undoubtedly continue.