Title: Euclid Space Telescope Faces Challenges During Commissioning Phase
Subtitle: Engineers Work to Overcome Technical Issues Ahead of Dark Universe Investigation
Date: August 10, 2022
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope, which was launched on July 1, is currently undergoing the commissioning process to prepare for its mission to explore the dark universe. However, the telescope’s engineers and scientists have encountered several technical issues that need to be resolved before its investigations can commence.
The Euclid mission aims to study the dark universe, which consists of dark energy and dark matter, constituting around 95% of the cosmos. Equipped with advanced instruments such as a visible light camera (VIS) and a near-infrared camera and spectrometer (NISP), Euclid’s current challenges include the telescope’s fine guidance sensors intermittently losing track of stars, stray sunlight seeping into initial images, and X-rays reaching the detectors due to unwanted sunlight, hindering the quality of captured images.
Although the situation is serious, the ESA assures that these problems do not pose a threat to Euclid’s mission but may impact its operational effectiveness. The telescope’s first test images were released on August 1, a month after its launch, showcasing its potential. However, the Fine Guidance Sensor responsible for accurate star-pointing has faced inconsistencies. Following tests on a spacecraft simulator and a replica of Euclid at mission control, the Euclid team uploaded a software fix to address the issue.
Andreas Rudolph, Euclid Operations Director, expressed relief, stating that initial tests are promising and more stars are being detected. While further observations are required, the signs are encouraging.
Commissioning is a standard part of a space telescope’s timeline, involving the setup of various instruments and systems for scientific observations after launch. Webb Space Telescope’s commissioning process, for example, began in late January 2022, and its first scientific images were released in July of the same year.
In contrast, Webb’s commissioning proceeded relatively smoothly, with the exception of a micrometeoroid striking one of its mirrors in May 2022. Giuseppe Racca, Euclid Project Manager, emphasized the necessity of science images in affirming Euclid’s pointing accuracy but expressed optimism based on the available evidence. The performance verification phase is nearing, allowing for further assessment of Euclid’s capabilities.
To peer into the distant cosmos, Euclid requires protection from the Sun’s bright light. However, the team discovered that sunlight is entering the field of view of the VIS instrument due to reflections from a thruster bracket protruding from the shadow of the spacecraft’s sunshield. The reflected light is believed to be affecting some observations made by VIS.
Furthermore, the team is concerned about X-ray-producing solar flares, which may reach Euclid’s detectors at specific angles and compromise the telescope’s data quality. Depending on solar activity, Euclid could potentially lose 3% of its data if this issue is not addressed.
The Fine Guidance Sensor issue is currently being addressed, while resolving the light issue requires alternative approaches. The ESA suggests that repeat observations and data processing may reduce the impact of X-rays on observations. Additionally, reprogramming the telescope’s survey may help mitigate the interference caused by stray sunlight.
Euclid’s mission is ambitious, aiming to uncover the mysteries of the dark universe. With dedicated attention and preventative measures, the technical issues experienced during commissioning can be overcome, allowing Euclid to embark on its cosmic survey.
[Reference to additional news on Euclid Telescope’s First Images]
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