Photos of Planck preparation for 2009 launch

After a flight from Nice to Amsterdam on March 27, 2008, the Planck spacecraft arrived by transporter truck at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC). Over the weekend the spacecraft was unpacked from its transport container, together with the mechanical ground support equipment (MGSE).

Planck mission objectives:

• Mapping of Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropies with improved sensitivity and angular resolution
• Determination of Hubble constant
• Testing inflationary models of the early universe
• Measuring amplitude of structures in Cosmic Microwave Background

Baffle Cover Removal at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)

Transporting to the Large Space Simulator (LSS) area

Arrival in LSS

Hoisting Planck Surveyor into the Large Space Simulator (LSS) at ESTEC

Planck in LSS

Dry-run Spin

Dr. Smoot prepares for launch via photoshop

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