SiC 'petal' for Herschel mirror

A sintered petal manufactured as part of the Herschel telescope main mirror, taken at the premises of EADS Astrium on 3 May 2001. A total of 12 petals were produced to form the mirror - the technique having first been proven with a subscale nine-piece demonstrator mirror.

In 2001 this was the largest silicon carbide piece ever produced (size 70 x 160 cm). It was manufactured by EADS Astrium and Boostec (France).