ESA - Herschel and Planck - Herschel and Planck talk to Earth

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Herschel and Planck talk to Earth

14 May 2009

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Herschel and Planck will be launched on an Ariane 5 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in spring 2009. The satellites will separate shortly after launch and proceed to their respective orbits around the second Lagrange point of the Sun- Earth system, or L2. The boosters of the Ariane 5 will fire for just under 2.5 minutes and its main and upper stage engines for about 25 minutes, setting Herschel and then Planck on the path to L2. This animation shows the fairing of the Ariane 5 being ejected, with Herschel visible on top of Planck.

Credits: ESA (animation by AOES Medialab)

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Herschel will separate from the upper stage of the Ariane 5 about 30 minutes after launch. Planck will follow a couple of minutes later. The satellites will then head towards their respective orbits around the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system (L2), some 1.5 million km from Earth in the direction opposite to the Sun. It will take about 60 days for both satellites to enter their operational orbits.

Credits: ESA (animation by AOES Medialab)

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Planck will separate from the launcher about 30 minutes after launch, a couple of minutes after Herschel. The two spacecraft will independently head towards their respective orbits the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system (L2), some 1.5 million km from Earth in the direction opposite to the Sun. It will take about 60 days for satellites to enter their operational orbits.

Credits: ESA (animation by AOES Medialab)

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L2, the second Lagrangian Point

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