Herschel is a cornerstone mission of the ESA scientific programme, which planned the put into orbit of a 3.5 diameter telescope operating in the far infrared and submillimetre range. Three instruments were mounted on the focal plane, with which it was possible to obtain broadband images and carry out high-resolution spectroscopic measurements: the PACS spectrometer, the SPIRE spectrometer and the HIFI detection system.   

The lift-off of Herschel happened in May 2009, along with the satellite Planck. After the launch, the two satellites separated to reach the L2 Lagrange point, 1.5 million km away from Earth, where they carried out the respective observation programmes

Herschel was the ESA first astronomic space observatory for astronomic observations in the submillimetre and far infrared range. The main goal was investigating the formation and evolution of galaxies in the Universe and observing the internal part of star formation regions.

The Italian involvement in the mission includes the manufacturing of the Digital Processing Units (DPUs) and the on-board software of the three instruments, the manufacturing of the optical part of the HIFI’s Wide Band Spectrometer, the laboratory calibration of PACS’ spectrometer, the participation in three Instrument Control Centers (ICCs) and in the preparation of the observation programme and data analysis procedures. The activities were coordinated by the INAF/IFSI in Rome.

‣ News

THURSDAY 31 AUGUST 2023

The catalogue of PRISMA acquisitions is now freely available on GEOSS portal ‣

The catalogue data is updated daily MORE...

SATURDAY 01 JULY 2023

EUROPE’S EUCLID MISSION LIFTS OFF ‣

The successful launch of the satellite marks the beginning of a mission designed to observe billions of galaxies and uncover the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Italy's decisive contribution to Euclid was made possible through the effort and expertise of the Italian Space Agency, the National Institute of Astrophysics and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics MORE...

WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE 2023

Teodoro Valente is the new president of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) ‣

Following the appointment of its new president, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) has also designated a new Board of Directors MORE...

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE ITALIAN SPACE AGENCY IN THE 73RD INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS IN PARIS ‣

The space showcase par excellence takes place in Paris from September 18th to September 22nd, 2022, and precedes the next European edition, which will take place in Italy with IAC Milan 2024, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and hosted by the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIDAA), the ASI and Leonardo

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WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2022

SAMANTHA CRISTOFORETTI WILL BE THE COMMANDER OF THE ISS ‣

AstroSamantha will become the first European astronaut in command of the International Space Station MORE...