Planck pre-launch status: The Planck mission
Предстартовое состояние Planck: миссия Planck
2009-11-27
SCID: 54.1/b5994edd
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CMB anisotropiesCMB polarizationPlanck missioncosmic microwave backgroundspace-based observations
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Abstract (AI)
The European Space Agency's Planck satellite, launched on 14 May 2009, is the third-generation space experiment in the field of cosmic microwave background (CMB) research. It will image the anisotropies of the CMB over the whole sky, with unprecedented sensitivity ( ~ 2 × 10-6) and angular resolution (~5 arcmin). Planck will provide a major source of information relevant to many fundamental cosmological problems and will test current theories of the early evolution of the Universe and the origin of structure. It will also address a wide range of areas of astrophysical research related to the Milky Way as well as external galaxies and clusters of galaxies. The ability of Planck to measure polarization across a wide frequency range (30-350 GHz), with high precision and accuracy, and over the whole sky, will provide unique insight, not only into specific cosmological questions, but also into the properties of the interstellar medium. This paper is part of a series which describes the technical capabilities of the Planck scientific payload. It is based on the knowledge gathered during the on-ground calibration campaigns of the major subsystems, principally its telescope and its two scientific instruments, and of tests at fully integrated satellite level. It represents the best estimate before launch of the technical performance that the satellite and its payload will achieve in flight. In this paper, we summarise the main elements of the payload performance, which is described in detail in the accompanying papers. In addition, we describe the satellite performance elements which are most relevant for science, and provide an overview of the plans for scientific operations and data analysis.
Key Findings
1
Planck aimed to constrain fundamental cosmological questions, test theories of early-universe evolution and structure formation, and support Milky Way, galaxy, and cluster research.
2
Planck was designed to map whole-sky CMB anisotropies with unprecedented sensitivity of approximately 2 × 10⁻⁶ and angular resolution near 5 arcmin.
3
The mission covered a broad 30–350 GHz frequency range, enabling precise, accurate full-sky polarization measurements for cosmology and interstellar-medium studies.
4
The paper provides the best pre-launch estimate of satellite and payload in-flight performance, based on subsystem calibration and fully integrated satellite tests.
5
The study summarizes payload and science-relevant satellite capabilities and outlines planned scientific operations and data-analysis activities.
Research Object
The Planck satellite and its scientific payload for whole-sky cosmic microwave background observations
Research Subject
Pre-launch technical performance and scientific-operational capabilities, including CMB anisotropy and polarization measurement sensitivity, angular resolution, calibration, and data-analysis readiness
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2009-11-27
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