Gaia thermal–vacuum test

Gaia’s service module has undergone thermal–vacuum testing inside the SIMLES facility at Intespace, Toulouse. The service module is the cylindrical component seen in the image, covered in silver and black insulation sheets. It sits on a temporary tripod inside the barrel-shaped test chamber, which is seen here in an open configuration. A bundle of test cables connect to various temperature sensors and test heaters. The test lasted for 19 consecutive days between 23 July and 10 August.