THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY'S (ESA) Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is scheduled for launch on 10 November aboard the Ariane V80/44P mission from Kourou, French Guiana, two years later than planned after the project ran into some development difficulties. The Aerospatiale-built 5.3m-tall ISO, is akin to a giant vacuum flask, filled with 2,100litres of liquid helium at a temperature of -271¡C, just 1.8¡ above absolute zero, which will keep the spacecraft's infra-red telescope cool. The ISO will provide a new perspective of the Universe, probing largely unexplored invisible and cool light infra-red radiation sources, including the most distant quasars and superluminous galaxies.
Source: Flight International
