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New guest at ESA’s test centre: the Herschel telescope

8 February 2008

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Members of the Herschel industrial team inspecting the telescope upon arrival in French Guiana.

This telescope is carrying the largest mirror ever flown in space. The 3.5-metre diameter technological marvel is made from 12 silicon carbide petals brazed together and coated with a layer of reflective aluminium, forming a remarkably lightweight mirror. The fully assembled telescope, which includes the primary mirror, the secondary mirror and its support structure, is a feathery 320 kg; remarkably low for such a sturdy structure capable of withstanding high launch loads and functioning precisely in the harsh environment of space.

Credits: ESA

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Herschel in space, close up on its mirror.

Credits: ESA (Animation by AOES Medialab)

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