Title: Euclid Spacecraft Prepares for Routine Science Observations on its Journey to Lagrange Point L2
Date: 13/07/2023
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Euclid, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) space telescope, is on a mission to Lagrange point L2, and mission controllers at the European Space Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, are making significant progress in preparing the spacecraft for routine science observations.
In the past few days, the operations team at ESOC achieved several critical milestones. On 11th and 12th July, the team woke up the Visible Imaging Channel (VIS). They successfully switched on the control electronics, both primary and redundant branches, and received synthetic data confirming the instrument’s correct functioning. Additionally, the spacecraft’s micro-propulsion system, comprising six redundant cold gas micro-propulsion thrusters, was activated for the first time and passed the tests. These thrusters are vital for ensuring Euclid’s precise and stable pointing capabilities, leading to the delivery of high-quality images.
Another crucial operation took place on 9th July when the command was sent to release the spacecraft’s K-band high-gain antenna. This antenna is a part of Euclid’s deep-space communications system and will facilitate the transmission of over 100 GB of compressed data from the spacecraft to ESA’s deep-space communication network, Estrack, on a daily basis. Euclid has now become the largest transmitter of data from trans-lunar space, with a data rate of about 74 Mbps. This rate is approximately 2-3 times higher than the James Webb Space Telescope’s previous record.
With these successful operations, Euclid is preparing to open its “eyes” by switching on the focal-plane detectors of its two scientific instruments. The NISP instrument’s wheel mechanisms were activated on 6th July, with engineers receiving telemetry about the accurate positions of the wheels. The spacecraft remained slightly tilted towards the Sun to warm up the telescope and ensure any ice evaporated away, leaving optimal conditions for observation.
Euclid’s journey towards Lagrange point L2 is shown in a trajectory diagram released by the ESA. This figure provides an overview of Euclid’s progress as it moves above the Earth-Sun plane, known as the Ecliptic plane.
In preceding days, Euclid underwent a de-icing process to facilitate perfect vision. By tilting the spacecraft towards the Sun, any moisture on its telescope mirrors evaporated, preventing obstruction and distortion of its observations. This orientation was maintained for several days to allow enough time for water vapor to dissipate into space.
On 3rd July, critical orbit control maneuvers were successfully executed during the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP). These maneuvers, along with reaction wheel tests, set the stage for transition to commissioning operations.
Euclid’s journey to Lagrange point L2 began on 2nd July, with commands being sent to alter the spacecraft’s trajectory by about 2.14 m/s. This adjustment ensured Euclid can join other space missions, Gaia and Webb, around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2.
As Euclid continues its journey, the mission controllers at ESOC are working diligently to ensure the spacecraft is fully operational and ready for its mission of mapping the dark universe. The successful completion of these critical operations marks significant milestones for the Euclid mission and brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.
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