Herschel satellite

The Herschel satellite was launched on 14 May 2009 by an Ariane 5 launcher, alongside the Planck satellite, the ESA Cosmology mission.

Herschel's 3.5 m diameter mirror is collecting long wavelength infrared radiation emitted by objects that are among the coldest and most distant in the universe, including galaxies and stars being formed.

Scientific objectives

• To carry out a complete study of the sky and the sub-millimetric band of several hundred astrophysical objects.
  
• To study the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies.
  
• To study the molecular chemistry of planets, comets and the atmospheres of satellites.
  
  Instrumentation The Herschel payload includes: