Conceptual image of the Euclid mission within the vastness of space. The spacecraft’s purpose is to explore the depths of the Universe, seeking answers to our most profound questions: What is dark matter and dark energy? What part did they play in shaping the cosmic web? To accomplish this, Euclid will map billions of galaxies far across the sky using its high-precision telescope. Credit: ESA
In anticipation of its launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this summer, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid spacecraft has been filled with its hydrazine fuel and gaseous nitrogen. The extremely toxic hydrazine, vital for propulsion and the eventual decommissioning of the spacecraft, is managed by specially trained experts donned in protective suits.
Inside a facility operated by Astrotech near Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA, the Euclid spacecraft was prepared for its summer launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9. Credit: Astrotech (Mack Russo)
The Euclid spacecraft receives its power from two types of fuel: hydrazine and gaseous nitrogen. Ten hydrazine thrusters will facilitate the chemical propulsion required to reach the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, perform periodic maneuvers to maintain its orbit, and finally decommission the spacecraft once its mission concludes. One central tank stores the 140 kg of hydrazine. Handling the spacecraft’s fuel, especially the highly toxic hydrazine, requires utmost care, performed by expert technicians equipped with self-contained atmospheric protective ensembles, or ‘scape’ suits.
The spacecraft is destined to orbit the second Lagrange point (L2) of the Sun-Earth system, located 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, away from the Sun. This balanced position will enable Euclid’s sunshield to consistently obstruct sunlight and Earth and Moonlight, thereby maintaining its telescope’s focus on the infinite expanse of outer space and guaranteeing stability for its onboard instruments. Credit: ESA
ESA’s Euclid will maintain its orbit around the Sun-Earth system’s second Lagrange point (L2), located 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth, in a direction opposite to the Sun. L2 is a balancing point in the Sun-Earth system that stays in line with Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
While positioned at L2, Euclid’s sunshield can perpetually obstruct light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon while aiming its telescope towards the depths of space, ensuring optimal stability for its onboard instruments.
At this position, Euclid will join other significant space missions at L2, including ESA’s Gaia mission and the ESA/NASA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, each following distinct trajectories around this equilibrium point.
Euclid’s high-resolution imaging necessitates extremely precise and stable pointing. Six cold gas micro-propulsion thrusters, powered by nitrogen stored in four high-pressure tanks, will achieve this. The stored 70 kg of nitrogen will ensure a mission lifespan of at least six years.
Euclid is a sophisticated space telescope developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Its main mission is to delve into the mysteries of the dark Universe. Euclid seeks to create the most comprehensive and accurate 3D map of the Universe ever achieved, encompassing 10 billion years of cosmic history. In this ambitious journey, Euclid aims to better understand the expansion of the Universe and the distribution of large-scale structures throughout space and time, further illuminating the role of gravity and the elusive nature of dark energy and dark matter.
