Infrared view of test

Infrared view of the experiment, showing the progress of the heating process. ESA’s Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) hosted a test campaign for candidate coatings of Solar Orbiter's main antenna, to check for continued optimal performance despite high temperature levels. The test plate seen here is backed by a solid copper block with a heating element, allowing the plate to be heated in a uniform way while radio signals are reflected off it by an antenna feed horn.