Inspection of the Herschel telescope

Members of the Herschel industrial team inspecting the telescope upon arrival in French Guiana.

This telescope is carrying the largest mirror ever flown in space. The 3.5-metre diameter technological marvel is made from 12 silicon carbide petals brazed together and coated with a layer of reflective aluminium, forming a remarkably lightweight mirror. The fully assembled telescope, which includes the primary mirror, the secondary mirror and its support structure, is a feathery 320 kg; remarkably low for such a sturdy structure capable of withstanding high launch loads and functioning precisely in the harsh environment of space.