ESA Science & Technology - Start of Planck TBTV Test Campaign

During the TBTV test campaign the cold vacuum conditions of space are simulated. The objectives of the thermal balance tests are twofold: one part is to demonstrate the correct performance of the spacecraft when exposed to near flight-like environmental conditions; the second part is a verification that the sophisticated cryogenic cooling system of Planck achieves the correct temperatures (down to a tenth of a degree above absolute zero) and that the scientific detectors demonstrate the required performance. The objective of the thermal vacuum tests is to demonstrate that the spacecraft is working nominally when the temperatures of its units are at lower and upper operational limits.

Figure 1-3: Placing the Planck spacecraft inside the FOCAL-5 vacuum chamber, followed by the closure of the thermal tent (Figure 3), 12 and 13 June 2008. Credit: ESA/Thales

In the final few days leading up to the actual start of the test campaign, the Planck spacecraft was placed inside the FOCAL-5 vacuum chamber. The thermal tent that surrounds the spacecraft inside the vacuum chamber was then put into place.

Figure 4-6: After the installation of the Planck spacecraft, the two doors of the FOCAL-5 vacuum chamber were closed on 16 June. The setup was ready to start the tests on 17 June 2008. Credit: ESA/Thales

On Monday 16 June, the two doors of the test chamber were closed and the green light was given for the start of the TBTV test campaign. The next day (17 June) marked the formal start of testing. The entire TBTV test campaign lasts several months and includes 13 phases, each of them covering different aspects of the thermal test verification of the Planck spacecraft.