Planck pre-launch status: The optical system

Planck is a scientific satellite that represents the next milestone in space-based research related to the cosmic microwave background, and in many other astrophysical fields. Planck was launched on 14 May of 2009 and is now operational. The uncertainty in the optical response of its detectors is a key factor allowing Planck to achieve its scientific objectives. More than a decade of analysis and measurements have gone into achieving the required performances. In this paper, we describe the main aspects of the Planck optics that are relevant to science, and the estimated in-flight performance, based on the knowledge available at the time of launch. We also briefly describe the impact of the major systematic effects of optical origin, and the concept of in-flight optical calibration. Detailed discussions of related areas are provided in accompanying papers

Planck pre-launch status : The Planck mission

Peer reviewe

The MIRAS demonstrator pilot project. Towards SMOS

[eng] Following several earlier feasibility studies, in 1998 ESA began the MIRAS Demonstrator Pilot Project within the Agency's Technology Research Programme (TRP) and General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) in an attempt to provide a technology solution to the inherent challenges of L-band radiometry. The objective was to build a representative element of the MIRAS instrument, which has subsequently been selected as the main payload for the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. A second phase was initiated in April 2001 to demonstrate key end-to-end instrument performances, including antenna deployment and image validation, following approval of the SMOS mission Phase-A at the end of 1999