Herschel / HIFI successfully passed final tests in the Large Space Simulator

During the last weeks of 2008 Herschel / HIFI has successfully passed extensive tests and performance verification in the Large Space Simulator (LSS) at ESTEC. The LSS allows testing of the complete satellite and all instruments in thermal vacuum under "in flight" conditions.

The spacecraft will complete a sequence of final functional tests before it is transported to the launch site in Kourou, where it will be launched on an Ariane 5 in April 2009.

fsc, 2009-01, Image (c) ESA: Lifting Herschel out of the LSS.