Space expertise example

Spire Beam Steering Mirror

• The Herschel Space Observatory was launched in May 2009.
• The Spire instrument onboard contained a high precision active mirror, designed and built at the UK ATC.
• This mirror is the first space-borne cryogenic active mirror
• It operates at 4K and must sustain 50G loads during take-off.

"The Ariane 5 ECA launcher, carrying on board the Herschel and Planck spacecraft, lifts-off from the Ariane launch pad at the European spaceport in Kourou on 14 May 2009.

Image courtsey of ESA-CNES-Arianespace, Optique Vidéo du CSG - Copyright P. Baudon"