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The Herschel
satellite is approximately 7 metres high and 4.3 metres
wide, with a launch mass of around 3.25 tonnes. It
will carry the infrared telescope and three scientific
instruments.
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The
Herschel telescope is a Ritchey-Chrétien
telescope, with a primary mirror diameter of
3.5 metres, the largest ever to be built. The
three focal plane scientific instruments are
a real technological challenge. They are:
HIFI - high-resolution
spectrometer
PACS - camera
SPIRE - photometer
They have been
especially designed to benefit from the peculiarities
of this mission and offer superb sensitivity.
The instruments will have to be cooled down
to below -271°C, less than three degrees
above the absolute zero. A cryostat full of
super fluid liquid helium will provide this
very low temperature.
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Herschel
placed on rotating stand
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The main scientific emphasis, mission
requirements and technological needs for Herschel
were discussed for the first time during the
first half of the 1980s. The overall design
of the spacecraft is in advanced stage and the
construction started in early 2001.
An Ariane-5
launcher will launch Herschel in 2007. After
detailed studies, ESA has decided to launch
Herschel together with Planck, a mission to
study the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation.
The two spacecraft will be separated early after
launch and will operate independently.
(check
out the our Planck model for more information)
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The Herschel
operational orbit is located 1.5 million kilometres
away from the Earth. Other future space telescopes
planned in the space agencies' agenda will operate
there, but Herschel and Planck will be the first ones.
The
model created using advanced design- and manufacturing
techniques. The scale model has been made exactly
matching the authentic designs, respecting all details.
The model comes in
two sizes; 1:10 and a table model. The 1:10 model
can be mounted on a rotating support as shown in the
picture above.
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Dimensions
(wxdxh)
Model:
Including support:
Used Materials
Model:
Support:
Used colors
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Herschel
Scale 1:50
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If you are interested in
this model please contact
us. |
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