Time is running fast in what concerns Herschel (and Planck...) launch.Leo Metcalfe, Herschel Science Operations Manager, shares with the readers (yes dear Leo...there is more than one, there are, at least two...), on his 3rd log entry, straight from the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) at Madrid, the latest developments about the mission with launch now slated for December.
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HSCOM Log Third entry JD 2454591.20556
In the period since my previous entry the Herschel Spacecraft has continued to develop towards its final shape, with the integration of the telescope and the sunshield onto the cryostat structure.
During a visit to ESTEC it was possible to view the "companion" spacecraft of Herschel - Planck - named after the German physicist and founder of Quantum Theory, Max Planck. (... who was advised by a learned professor NOT to go into Physics as "in this field, almost everything is already discovered.") Planck and Herschel will be launched together on the same Ariane 5 rocket. My previous mission, XMM-Newton, was launched on the second ever successful launch of Ariane 5. According to the Arianespace website Ariane 5 has now had 24 consecutive successful launches. A further 7 launches are scheduled before the Herschel/Planck combination comes along in December 2008. Er! Yes - December. The reader (I fear there may be only one) may recall that for previous blog entries the launch date was October 31, but revision of the schedule has been necessary to adapt to an accumulation of individually minor issues encountered in the test programme.
To stay with Planck for a moment - I was lucky enough to arrive at the test area when Planck was being balanced to ensure its stable rotation in flight (like balancing a wheel on your car to avoid vibration). The careful adjustments and tilts of the spacecraft on its dolly allowed it to be viewed from all angles from the viewing platform, even displaying the focal plane signal reception horns and entrance optics. It was like coming upon a planned show - but none of this was for display. I have to say it is a technically beautiful spacecraft. In flight it will measure tiny fluctuations in the microwave background energy left over from the Big Bang, and will facilitate characterisation of the Universe's earliest moments.
HSCOM Log Third entry JD 2454591.20556
In the period since my previous entry the Herschel Spacecraft has continued to develop towards its final shape, with the integration of the telescope and the sunshield onto the cryostat structure.
During a visit to ESTEC it was possible to view the "companion" spacecraft of Herschel - Planck - named after the German physicist and founder of Quantum Theory, Max Planck. (... who was advised by a learned professor NOT to go into Physics as "in this field, almost everything is already discovered.") Planck and Herschel will be launched together on the same Ariane 5 rocket. My previous mission, XMM-Newton, was launched on the second ever successful launch of Ariane 5. According to the Arianespace website Ariane 5 has now had 24 consecutive successful launches. A further 7 launches are scheduled before the Herschel/Planck combination comes along in December 2008. Er! Yes - December. The reader (I fear there may be only one) may recall that for previous blog entries the launch date was October 31, but revision of the schedule has been necessary to adapt to an accumulation of individually minor issues encountered in the test programme.
To stay with Planck for a moment - I was lucky enough to arrive at the test area when Planck was being balanced to ensure its stable rotation in flight (like balancing a wheel on your car to avoid vibration). The careful adjustments and tilts of the spacecraft on its dolly allowed it to be viewed from all angles from the viewing platform, even displaying the focal plane signal reception horns and entrance optics. It was like coming upon a planned show - but none of this was for display. I have to say it is a technically beautiful spacecraft. In flight it will measure tiny fluctuations in the microwave background energy left over from the Big Bang, and will facilitate characterisation of the Universe's earliest moments.
Know more about Planck here.
Whatever about minor launch slips for Herschel, launch is approaching fast. In late April there took place in Switzerland what was probably the final great pre-launch gathering of the scientists and engineers who have for years been developing the systems and facilities to support the Herschel in-flight Science Operations - the Herschel Ground Segment Consortium. Over three days about 100 developers, including future users of the system, critically evaluated the status of preparations and considered what final adjustments should be made. For many, this may be the only time they will meet colleagues whose names they see daily in emails and documents. This event harks back to remarks I made in my first blog entry, about the great human scale, in terms of years and numbers of people, invested in a space mission, as these 100 people are only the tip of the Herschel iceberg.
I've remarked in earlier entries that the Herschel Science Operations Team (HOT) has been growing steadily towards launch.
I'm wondering if I'll be losing any team members before long since I know a few of them will apply in May when ESA, for the first time since 1991, opens a process to recruit 4 new astronaut candidates.
I'd be applying myself, although I'm getting old and toothless, except I failed the medical in 1991 (I have very little stereo vision due to an eye problem as a child). What a pity!
So I guess I'll be staying on the ground and flying Herschel.
Well - there are a lot worse things you could do :)
Leo Metcalfe (HSCOM)
Whatever about minor launch slips for Herschel, launch is approaching fast. In late April there took place in Switzerland what was probably the final great pre-launch gathering of the scientists and engineers who have for years been developing the systems and facilities to support the Herschel in-flight Science Operations - the Herschel Ground Segment Consortium. Over three days about 100 developers, including future users of the system, critically evaluated the status of preparations and considered what final adjustments should be made. For many, this may be the only time they will meet colleagues whose names they see daily in emails and documents. This event harks back to remarks I made in my first blog entry, about the great human scale, in terms of years and numbers of people, invested in a space mission, as these 100 people are only the tip of the Herschel iceberg.
I've remarked in earlier entries that the Herschel Science Operations Team (HOT) has been growing steadily towards launch.
I'm wondering if I'll be losing any team members before long since I know a few of them will apply in May when ESA, for the first time since 1991, opens a process to recruit 4 new astronaut candidates.
I'd be applying myself, although I'm getting old and toothless, except I failed the medical in 1991 (I have very little stereo vision due to an eye problem as a child). What a pity!
So I guess I'll be staying on the ground and flying Herschel.
Well - there are a lot worse things you could do :)
Leo Metcalfe (HSCOM)
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