PLANCK IS EQUIPPED FOR ITS APRIL LIFTOFF ON ARIANE 5

A photo report from the Spaceport in French Guiana details current integration and checkout preparations with Europe’s Planck observatory, which will explore relic radiation from the Big Bang after its April 16 launch by Ariane 5. Planck will be lofted with the Herschel space telescope on Arianespace’s second Ariane 5 mission of this year.