The ESA is working on a new exoplanet hunter mission called Plato, to be launched in 2026. Astronomers expect to discover Earth-sized planets within the habitable zone thanks to Plato’s ability to spot smaller planets in larger orbits than current telescopes. SRON Netherlands Institute of Space Research is contributing to the project by testing Plato’s cameras in a custom built space simulator. SRON researchers have finished testing the prototype, and all features function as expected. The framework for the cameras is now undergoing a month-long vacuum soak at ESA to evaluate its endurance under space conditions.
Click here for original story, ESA conducts first tests of exoplanet hunter Plato in space-like conditions
Source: Phys.org