ESA's CHEOPS space telescope in sun-synchronous orbit
ESA's CHEOPS space telescope in sun-synchronous orbit
ESA's CHEOPS space telescope observes extrasolar planets from a low sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometres. Launched in December 2019, the mission is initially scheduled to last three and a half years, with an option to extend it to five years. One of the outstanding features of the telescope is its ability to maintain an extremely high target accuracy of ideally one arc second over long periods of time. A normal observation cycle lasts 48 hours. The high sensitivity and stability guaranteed by the focal plane module developed by DLR are crucial for the success of the mission.
