Herschel

First in the news releases from the HSC ahead of the launch - links to some extra pics and updates. Additionally, one of the senior managers on SPIRE is heading to Kourou as we speak for the last all-up test (and for her to say goodbye to the instrument, something that she's been working on for the last decade), and she has promised me pics to share with you, so keep tuned

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Herschel Science Centre Newsflash #1
23 February 2009
herschel.esac.esa.int/
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Herschel has been flown to Kourou!
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Herschel's first flight is over, and we are looking forward to the
second one, in less than 2 months.

Following the completion of the latest tests campaigns in Europe,
Herschel has arrived safely at Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French
Guiana, having landed in Cayenne Rochambeau airport in the early
morning hours (local time) on 12 February 2009 on board an Antonov
cargo plane on a non-stop flight that took off from Amsterdam
Schiphol airport, The Netherlands, the day before.

In the coming weeks, Herschel will undergo a series of final checks
and will be prepared for launch. Herschel is scheduled to launch into
space using an Ariane 5 ECA launcher, together with ESA's Planck
spacecraft, on 16 April 2009 in the early afternoon European time.

The progress of the launch campaign can be followed on the HSC
Latest News web page:

herschel.esac.esa.int/latest_news.shtml

and via additional links provided therein.


The Herschel Science Centre Helpdesk:
herschel.esac.esa.int/esupport/

Updated post (and pics) on the Herschel blog: herschelmission.wordpress.com/

Also includes a link to some rather nifty pics and video of Herschel arriving in French Guiana!

Hasn't made it onto the blog yet, but the final tests were completed on SPIRE at the weekend - the next set of testing will be when the spacecraft is in space! Very exciting times indeed!

And duly updated by yours truly!

herschelmission.wordpress.com/

EDIT: and let us not forget the Planck blog!

planckmission.wordpress.com/

Launch has been put back 2 weeks to April 29th.

herschelmission.wordpress.com/

Yet another launch delay, sadly - we're now looking at mid-May, with a firm date to follow in the next few days.

Did anyone catch the Sky At Night last night?

herschelmission.wordpress.com/

Thanks for the reminder Brian.
I missed it last night but caught the replay on BBC4.
Very interesting discussion re Herschel.

Michael.