Plato nears final camera installation for exoplanet hunt

Assembly work is progressing at OHB in Germany, where the sensitive optical systems are being mounted onto Plato's optical bench - the critical structure responsible for maintaining precise alignment. With 24 of the cameras securely in place, just two more 'fast' cameras remain to be installed in the coming weeks. These final components will complete Plato's unique visual system, designed to capture the faint dimming of starlight caused by transiting exoplanets.

"It's rewarding to see the progress we have made from last year when the work to mount the cameras started: with 24 cameras now in place, we see Plato taking its proper shape," said Thomas Walloschek, ESA's Plato Project Manager.

The 26 cameras, including 24 normal and 2 fast units, will work together to monitor the brightness of over 200,000 stars. By detecting the minute changes in starlight as planets pass in front of their host stars, Plato aims to identify new exoplanets, including potentially Earth-like worlds. The fast cameras will capture high-speed images of the brightest stars, providing rapid data for the spacecraft's orientation and pointing systems.

Plato's mission extends beyond planet hunting. The spacecraft will also study the internal structure of stars by observing 'starquakes' - subtle oscillations that reveal insights into their composition and age. This data will significantly enhance our understanding of stellar physics and the evolution of star systems.

In addition to the camera installations, OHB engineers are assembling Plato's service module, which houses the computers, propulsion systems, power distribution units, and communication components needed to support the spacecraft's scientific mission. The final step in the construction phase will be integrating this service module with the payload module, a critical milestone scheduled for this summer.