5M: Service Modul for PLATO

4/24/2024

The PLATO mission will focus on the study of terrestrial-type planets in the habitable zone around Sun-like stars and on the seismic activity of the stars, which will allow precise characterisation of the stars, including the determination of their ages. The satellite will be equipped with 26 cameras and is the third medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme. 5M has developed composite panels for the service module, which are now being integrated at SAB Aerospace. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2026.

The PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) mission will study the properties of terrestrial-type planets in the habitable zone around Sun-like stars, and will also investigate seismic activity in the stars, allowing accurate characterisation of the planets' host star, including age determination. For this purpose, the satellite will be equipped with a comprehensive set of 26 cameras of different types. The PLATO mission is the third mid-orbit mission carried out under ESA's Cosmic Vision programme.

5M participated in the development and production of composite sandwich panels for the satellite's so-called service module. First, a prototype was produced in the 2020-2022 period and, after successful verification tests carried out in ESA laboratories, it then went on to produce a set of 31 parts for the flight model. The integration of this model and of the parts produced in 5M is currently underway at SAB Aerospace. OHB is the main partner in the project and the mission is expected to launch in 2026.