| Herschel's HIFI instrument ready to resume operations |
| The HIFI instrument onboard ESA's Herschel observatory has been successfully switched on, after being inactive for more than 160 days due to an unexpected anomaly in the electronic system. This achievement brings Herschel back to its full observing capacity. HIFI was built specifically to observe water in a variety of celestial objects. Over the next three years HIFI spectra will be used to probe stellar environments and to study the role of gas and dust in the formation of stars and planets and the evolution of galaxies. |
| Date: 18 Jan 2010 |
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| Initial results from Herschel's science demonstration phase |
| Initial results from the Herschel science demonstration phase have been presented by and to the scientific community at a recent workshop. Both SPIRE and PACS instruments have been tested to their full capabilities and have passed the tests with flying colours. Initial science results include the first image of a previously hidden region of star formation, observations of one of the coldest objects in the Solar System, and new perspectives on the highly energetic processes in the environments of newborn stars. |
| Date: 21 Dec 2009 |
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| Herschel's splendid spectra |
| Herschel spectroscopy takes centre stage today as new spectra, obtained with the SPIRE, PACS and HIFI instruments during the performance verification phase, are released by ESA and the instrument teams. Taken together with earlier images the observatory is now on the way to demonstrating that the promised imaging and spectroscopic capabilities are being met. |
| Date: 27 Nov 2009 |
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| Herschel Science Demonstration Phase - Presentations of Initial Results |
| A Herschel workshop will be held on 17 to 18 December 2009 to present the initial results of the on-going Herschel science demonstration phase (SDP). The workshop will take stock of results achieved to date with the Herschel SDP observations. |
| Date: 18 Nov 2009 |
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| Mission extensions approved for science missions |
| ESA's Science Programme Committee has approved the extension of mission operations for XMM-Newton, INTEGRAL, Venus Express, Mars Express and Cluster, as well as the ESA support to the operations of HST and SOHO, until 31 December 2012. An additional year of operations has been approved for Planck. |
| Date: 07 Oct 2009 |
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| New Herschel images reveal previously unseen detail in the Milky Way |
| Images from the Herschel observatory, obtained during the performance verification phase, reveal previously unseen detail in a region of the Milky Way near the Galactic Plane. These images demonstrate that the 'SPIRE/PACS parallel mode', an important observing mode for the observatory, is delivering the expected performance. |
| Date: 02 Oct 2009 |
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| Herschel's 'first light' promises superb science |
| The first images and spectra obtained with the three Herschel instruments (HIFI, PACS and SPIRE) demonstrate their excellent condition and provide a foretaste of the exciting science that is to come. |
| Date: 10 Jul 2009 |
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| Herschel's sneak preview: PACS images of M51 |
| On 14 June 2009, precisely one month after launch, Herschel opened its eyes as the cryocover, the cryostat lid, was commanded to open. The images obtained by the PACS instrument during the remainder of the operational day (14-15 June) are shown below. |
| Date: 19 Jun 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck commissioning has begun |
| After a perfect injection by the Ariane 5 launcher on 14 May, the critical Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) for Herschel and Planck has started to wind down, while commissioning of the scientific instruments and subsystems on both spacecraft has begun. |
| Date: 20 May 2009 |
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| ESA en route to the origins of the Universe |
| ESA PR 10-2009: Two of the most ambitious missions ever attempted to unveil the secrets of the darkest, coldest and oldest parts of the Universe got off to a successful start this afternoon with the dual launch of ESA's far infrared space telescope Herschel and cosmic background mapper Planck on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
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| Date: 14 May 2009 |
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| Ariane 5 carrying Herschel and Planck lifts off |
| At 15:12:02 CEST, at the beginning of a 55-minute launch window, the Herschel and Planck satellite pair lifted off on board an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
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| Date: 14 May 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck are on the launch pad |
14 May 2009: The launch can be followed live on the ESA mogulus channel, and on the Arianespace webcast pages:
See timeline of key events for the Herschel and Planck launch at the end of this page.
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| Date: 13 May 2009 |
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| Successful Launch Readiness Review ahead of the launch of Herschel and Planck |
| The launcher for Herschel and Planck has been declared ready for launch following the successful conclusion of the Launch Readiness Review, RAL (Revue d'Aptitude au Lancement), held on 9 May and the close-out review held on 12 May. The launch from the European Spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana, is scheduled for 14 May 2009. |
| Date: 13 May 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck to lift off on 14 May |
| Now that additional checks on the Ariane 5 ECA launcher have been completed, Arianespace and ESA have set the launch date of Herschel and Planck for Thursday 14 May. |
| Date: 28 Apr 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck launch postponed |
| Due to an anomaly discovered during tests on a subassembly identical to the one on the Ariane 5 launcher, Arianespace has decided to carry out additional checks which will take a few days. |
| Date: 20 Apr 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck to lift off on 6 May |
| With the additional checks related to the flight worthiness of the Herschel telescope now completed, ESA and Arianespace have set the launch date of Herschel and Planck for 6 May 2009. |
| Date: 08 Apr 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck launch update |
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| Date: 02 Apr 2009 |
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| Launch campaign teams take time out to record a special moment |
| As the launch date for Herschel and Planck approaches the launch campaign teams, who are busy preparing both spacecraft for this momentous event, have taken time out for a group photograph. |
| Date: 17 Mar 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck launch postponed |
| In order to carry out additional checks on the ground segment of the Herschel and Planck programmes, Arianespace and ESA have jointly agreed to postpone the launch initially planned for 16 April 2009. A new launch date will be announced at the end of March.
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| Date: 13 Mar 2009 |
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| Herschel and Planck get green light for launch campaign |
| ESA's Herschel and Planck missions have successfully completed their test campaigns in Europe and will be soon transported to Europe's spaceport at the Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guyana. |
| Date: 09 Feb 2009 |
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