Planck (spacecraft) facts for kids
| Names | COBRAS/SAMBA |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Space telescope |
| Operator | ESA |
| Mission duration | Planned: >15 months Final: 4 years, 5 months, 8 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | 1,950 kg (4,300 lb) |
| Payload mass | 205 kg (452 lb) |
| Dimensions | Body: 4.20 m × 4.22 m (13.8 ft × 13.8 ft) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 14 May 2009, 13:12:02 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | 3 July 2009 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Decommissioned |
| Deactivated | 23 October 2013, 12:10:27 UTC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | L2 point (1,500,000 km / 930,000 mi) |
| Regime | Lissajous |
| Main telescope | |
| Type | Gregorian |
| Diameter | 1.9 m × 1.5 m (6.2 ft × 4.9 ft) |
| Wavelengths | 300 µm – 11.1 mm (frequencies between 27 GHz and 1 THz) |
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Horizon 2000
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Planck was a space observatory operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) from 2009 to 2013.
It mapped the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at microwave and infra-red frequencies, with high sensitivity and small angular resolution.
The mission improved on observations made by the NASA Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). Planck provided a major source of information about cosmology and astrophysics. It tested theories of the early Universe and the origin of cosmic structure.
Since the end of its mission, Planck has made the most precise measurements of several key numbers. These include the average density of ordinary matter and dark matter in the Universe, and the age of the universe. Planck is now switched off.
Images for kids
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The 4 K reference load qualification model
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LFI 44 GHz horn and front-end chassis
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LFI focal plane model
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The High Frequency Instrument qualification model.
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Some of the Herschel-Planck team, from left to right: Jean-Jacques Juillet, director of scientific programmes, Thales Alenia Space; Marc Sauvage, project scientist for Herschel PACS experiment, CEA; François Bouchet, Planck operations manager, IAP; and Jean-Michel Reix, Herschel & Planck operations manager, Thales Alenia Space. Taken during presentations of the first results for the missions, Cannes, October 2009.
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Galaxy cluster PLCK G004.5-19.5 was discovered through the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect.
See also
In Spanish: Planck (satélite) para niños
