STFC experts visit European Space Agency

Herschel space observatory

On 23rd September 2008, members of STFC’s advisory committees – Science Board and the Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics (PPAN) Committee visited the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC).

ESTEC is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) main technology development and test centre for spacecraft and space technology at Nordwijk in the Netherlands. The visit was organised to give committee members the opportunity to find out more about the work of ESA, in particular the Herschel mission. The trip was part of a series of visits by STFC advisory committees to STFC funded facilities and projects.

Herschel is a far-infrared and sub-millimetre observatory that will have an unprecedented view of the ‘cold’ universe. Observing in the infrared will allow Herschel to study the formation of stars and galaxies, and to investigate the relationship between the two. The UK has built one of the observatory’s three instruments – a camera and spectrometer called SPIRE – led by Professor Matt Griffin from the University of Cardiff.

Committee members were given a presentation by Göran Pilbratt, Herschel Project Scientist about the Herschel mission. Thomas Passvogel, Herschel and Planck Programme Manager, then showed members the Herschel spacecraft in ESA’s test facilities where it is undergoing final testing. Herschel will be launched in 2009 along with ESA’s Planck telescope on an Ariane 5 spacecraft.

Also in ESA’s test facilities is the LISA Pathfinder. Luca Stagnaro, LISA Pathfinder Spacecraft and AIV/AIT Manager gave a short presentation on LISA Pathfinder which aims to test several critical technologies for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. Committee members were then taken into the test facilities to view LISA Pathfinder.

Science Board and PPAN are shown the LISA Pathfinder test spacecraft

During the day STFC committee members also had the opportunity to talk with several of the ESA Executive representatives including Professor David Southwood, ESA Director of Science and Robotic Exploration.

The occasion gave committee members the opportunity to directly find out how ESA works, and ESA representatives the opportunity to learn about the advisory committees at STFC.

Iain Bertram, PPAN committee member commented, “I enjoyed the opportunity of seeing the Herschel telescope before its launch next year. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of both the Herschel and LISA Pathfinder teams. The insights into the technological and organisational requirements of a space mission will allow us to make more informed decisions on the future space missions forming part of the STFC scientific programme”.

Images and captions

• Image - Herschel spacecraft under test.
  
  
• Image - Herschel space observatory showing John Butterworth (PPAN), Sheila Rowan (PPAN), Thomas Passvogel (ESA project manager) and Sue Horne (STFC Space Exploration Programme Manager).
  
  
• Image - Structural Test model of the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft.
  
  
• Image - Science Board and PPAN are shown the LISA Pathfinder test spacecraft by the ESA assembly and test manager.