Herschel and Planck launch postponed
Aerial view of various launch complexes at Europe's Spaceport
In order to carry out additional checks on the ground segment of the Herschel and Planck programmes, Arianespace and ESA have jointly agreed to postpone the launch initially planned for 16 April. A new launch date will be announced at the end of March.
The decision to postpone the launch by a couple of weeks was needed to finalise the validation of the spacecraft operations procedures following recent software updates.
In the meantime, the preparation of the two spacecraft for launch continues as planned at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
For more information
Monica Talevi, Science Information Manager
ESA Communication & Knowledge Department
Tel: +31 71 565 3223
Email: Monica.Talevi @ esa.int
Related links
- Planck: looking back at the dawn of time
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck - Herschel: ESA's giant infrared observatory
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel - Herschel spruced up after arrival in Kourou
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/Herschel_spruced_up_after_arrival_in_Kourou - Planck follows Herschel to launch site
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck/Planck_follows_Herschel_to_launch_site - Herschel shipped to Europe’s Spaceport
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/Herschel_shipped_to_Europe_s_Spaceport - Herschel and Planck ready to move to launch site
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Herschel_and_Planck_ready_to_move_to_launch_site - Herschel acoustic and vibration tests
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/Herschel_acoustic_and_vibration_tests - Herschel spacecraft assembly complete
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/Herschel_spacecraft_assembly_complete - Planck update in pictures
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck/Planck_update_in_pictures - Planning for Planck’s science
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck/Planning_for_Planck_s_science - L2, the second Lagrangian Point
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/L2_the_second_Lagrangian_Point - Observations: Seeing in infrared wavelengths
http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESOC/Observations_Seeing_in_infrared_wavelengths - Observations: Seeing in microwave wavelengths
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck/Observations_Seeing_in_microwave_wavelengths - Why infrared astronomy is a hot topic
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/Why_infrared_astronomy_is_a_hot_topic - Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Herschel/Cosmic_Microwave_Background_CMB_radiation