LISA Pathfinder: science and propulsion modules

LISA Pathfinder’s science module (the white- and gold-coloured structure), sits atop the spacecraft’s propulsion module (the silver-coloured structure). The craft’s solar array is visible on top of the science module.

The science module has an outer diameter of 231 cm, a height of 96 cm and contains many of the spacecraft’s key payload components.

After being transported to low orbit by ESA’s Vega rocket, LISA Pathfinder will use its propulsion module to raise its orbit and then to travel some 1.5 million km through space to reach its final destination: the L1 Sun–Earth Lagrangian point.

LISA Pathfinder will discard the propulsion module shortly before reaching its final orbital position.