Brazed Gaia torus

members of the Boostec and Astrium team just after the Gaia torus was removed from the brazing furnace.

The 3-metre diameter, quasi-octagonal torus, which will support the two Gaia telescopes and the focal plane assembly, is composed of 17 individual custom-built Silicon Carbide segments, all of which were constructed by BOOSTEC under contract to the Gaia prime contractor EADS Astrium.

Starting on 28 April 2009 the 19 custom-built elements were assembled and aligned into the form of the torus. The torus brazing took place from 24 – 29 June 2009. Following the successful completion of the brazing the torus was delivered to EADS Astrium in Toulouse for assembly with the Gaia service module.