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Engineering Solutions from Earth: Thawing the Euclid Telescope in Deep Space
The Euclid telescope, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in July 2023, has encountered a challenge a million miles away from Earth—ice formation on its mirrors. Tasked with probing the dark universe, comprising dark energy and dark matter, Euclid’s mission is crucial for advancing our understanding of the cosmos. The telescope’s super-sensitive cameras, designed to capture faint light from distant galaxies, have gradually lost efficiency due to a thin layer of ice formed by water molecules.
Initially absorbed during the telescope’s assembly on Earth, these water molecules have now frozen onto the optics in the cold vacuum of space, dimming the light from stars observed by Euclid’s visible light camera (VIS). This ice layer, although only a few tens of nanometers thick, significantly impacts the telescope’s ability to collect starlight, essential for its mission to study the dark universe.
To address this, the Euclid mission team has devised a delicate de-icing strategy. Directly heating the entire spacecraft could cause unwanted expansion of its mechanical structure, potentially leading to permanent changes in its size and affecting its observational capabilities. Therefore, the team plans to carefully warm up specific low-risk optical parts, starting with two of the telescope’s mirrors, to remove the ice without jeopardizing the rest of the instrument.
This experimental procedure, developed pre-launch, aims to preserve Euclid’s high sensitivity for its survey of the sky. The success of this method could set a precedent for managing similar issues in future space missions. With the Euclid telescope designed to remain operational for at least six years, ongoing management of ice buildup is vital for the longevity and success of its mission to map the dark universe.
The issue of ice forming on space telescopes is not unique to Euclid but represents a broader challenge in space exploration. Managing the thermal environment of spacecraft, especially those operating in the extreme cold of space, is critical for ensuring the success of their missions. The innovative approach taken by the Euclid team reflects the intricate balance between engineering and scientific objectives in space missions, highlighting the importance of pre-launch planning and the need for adaptable problem-solving strategies in the unyielding conditions of outer space.