Preparing to launch
The Herschel spacecraft assembly has been completed.
Provided by ESA, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Published:
April 24, 2008 A picture of the Herschel telescope resting on the cryostat, taken on April 16.
Photo by ESA
The mirror of the Herschel telescope has now been assembled with the payload and service module, completing the spacecraft structure — an important milestone in the days following through to launch.
The sunshield and solar arrays were assembled with the cryostat and service module on April 11. The telescope was assembled on April 16. The spacecraft will be subjected to several mechanical tests over the next few weeks. |
 The mirror of the Herschel telescope, with its protective cover, ready to be lifted for installation on to the cryostat.
Photo by ESA
The fully-assembled telescope, which includes the primary mirror, the secondary mirror and its support structure, is a feathery 320 kilograms; remarkably low for such a sturdy structure capable of withstanding high launch loads and functioning precisely in the harsh environment of space. |
 The Herschel spacecraft’s sunshield being assembled with the solar array.
Photo by ESA
Herschel will make it possible to observe and study relatively cool objects everywhere in the universe, from our own back yard to distant galaxies, teaching us much more about the birth and evolution of stars and galaxies. |