CHEOPS SPACE TELESCOPE

The CHEOPS satellite is mounted on a longitudinal shaker that forces it to vibrate at different frequencies. At the beginning of the test, performed at RUAG Space in Zurich, Switzerland, low-frequency sine-wave vibrations of 5 Hz are applied. As the test progresses, a sweep, using sine waves of increasing frequency, is performed up to the maximum of 100 Hz. Credit: ESA/Airbus/RUAG More information about this video can be found at http://sci.esa.int/cheops/60585-vibration-test/

Together with the CHEOPS space telescope more than 2700 miniaturized children's drawings will fly into space. The video shows how physicist Guido Bucher produced the plaques with the drawings at Berner Fachhochschule in Burgdorf.

Timelapse video of the installation of the CHEOPS instrument onto the platform. The instrument is lifted using the custom designed strongback onto the top panel of the spacecraft. After successful placement the mounting feet of the the telescope are securely bolted. Credit: Airbus Defense and Space, Madrid.

Integration of ESA's CHEOPS science instrument (top) with the spacecraft platform (bottom) in the cleanroom at Airbus Defence and Space in Madrid, Spain. The science instrument, which includes among other elements the telescope and detector, was built and tested at the University of Bern, Switzerland. It was shipped to Spain in April to be integrated with the spacecraft platform for further tests and launch preparations. Once in orbit, CHEOPS will observe transits of known exoplanets around bright stars to characterise these planetary systems. Credit: Airbus Defence and Space Spain More information about this video can be found at http://sci.esa.int/cheops/60328-cheops-satellite-integration/

The space telescope CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite) instrument has left a clean room in Switzerland, where it was assembled and tested, and is now in Madrid for further launch preparations. The telescope will study hundreds of known exoplanets using the transit method - measuring the dip in light as a planet transits its parent star. CHEOPS will herald a new era of discovery. Its precision measurements will give more detailed information about a planet’s structure, atmosphere and surface temperature. It was built at the University of Bern and the mission is a partnership between ESA and Switzerland with additional contributions from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Integration and testing of the CHEOPS spacecraft is ongoing and the project is on track to reach flight readiness by the end of 2018. This film contains soundbites from Willy Benz, CHEOPS principal investigator, ESA/University of Bern and Andrea Fortier, Cheops Instrument Scientist, ESA/University of Bern. ★ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/ESAsubscribe Learn more: bit.ly/ESACHEOPS

CHEOPS space telescope getting ready for calibration at the University of Bern in January 2018.

CHEOPS space telescope getting ready for calibration at the University of Bern in January 2018.

Print out and build a paper model of Cheops, the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite, a space science mission to study known exoplanets orbiting bright, nearby stars. Cheops will measure accurate sizes of Earth- to Neptune-sized planets. By combining this information with existing mass measurements, it will be possible to establish the bulk density and to put constraints on the composition of these planets. It is a Small-class mission in ESA’s Science programme in partnership with Switzerland, with important contributions from other ESA member states. Cheops paper model: http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=59851 Building the model requires scissors and glue. Remember to take into account ample time to cut out all the pieces.

Video about CHEOPS Mission

Video about CHEOPS Mission (without Text)

Vibration test of the CHEOPS telescope at the University of Bern, 15 August 2017.

The flight hardware of the CHEOPS telescope arrived at the University of Bern and was inspected in the clean room in May 2017.

Zu Besuch im CHEOPS-Testlabor an der Universität Bern

This film clip, produced by platform contractor, Airbus Defence and Space ( EADS CASA Espacio S.L, Spain),  is a  compilation of CHEOPS AIV and test activities in the six month period starting in Summer 2015, undertaken at facilities in Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Vibration testing of the CHEOPS Structural Model at RUAG Space in Zurich, Switzerland. (Credit: RUAG Space, Switzerland) RUAG Cheops V02 Original 11176

CHEOPS: the First Swiss-led ESA Mission

Successful CHEOPS instrument cover opening test credits AIRBUS DS SPAIN

Delivery and setup of the vacuum chamber for CHEOPS

Inspecting the first CHEOPS hardware - At the University of Bern, the first hardware for the CHEOPS space telescope was delivered and inspected. This included the support structure for the Baffle and Cover Assembly (BCA). In June, Christopher Broeg and Eduardo Hernández León had a close look at the content of the box from Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) – Spain.

Testing CHEOPS at the University of Bern - The space telescope dedicated to characterize exoplanets is taking shape. A camera installed in the clean room in Bern shows how the CHEOPS team prepares the structural and thermal model for tests in the vacuum chamber.

In this video we can see the whole mechanism, the shutter, the finger, the filter wheel and the stabilized beam.

Video about Testing CHEOPS on Swiss TV

CHEOPS mission visualization

CHEOPS Image Video EN

Do you want to send your art into space on the new Cheops satellite? Join the Cheops drawing competition, and be in with the chance that your drawing will be miniaturised and engraved on two plaques that will be put on the satellite. This animation shows you how to participate. 1. You need to be a child between the ages of 8 and 14, from any of ESA’s Member States or cooperating states. 2. Download and print out a standard drawing sheet (provided here: http://www.esa.int/CheopsCompetition ) 3. You can be as creative as you like, as long as you let yourself be inspired by the theme of space and/or by the Cheops space telescope. 4. Make your drawing in black and white, using a black pencil or felt-tip pen. 5. Fill in your personal details and send your drawing via letter to either your local Cheops mission partner institution, if there is one in your home country, or to ESA directly. 6. Entries will be accepted until 31 October 2015. Up to 3000 drawings will be shrunk down by a factor of about 1000 and engraved on the metal plaques that will fly into space on Cheops. Find more information and the rules, terms and conditions, here: http://www.esa.int/CheopsCompetition