Moreno, J.;Vielba, E.;Manjón, A.;Motos, A.;Vázquez, E.;Rodríguez, E.;Saez, D.;Sengl, M.;Fernández, J.;Campos, G.;Muñoz, D.;Mas, M.;Balado, A.;Ramos, G.;Cerruti, C.;Pajas, M.;Catalán, I.;Alcacera, M. A.;Valverde, A.;Pflueger, P.Vera, I. 2018. PLATO FPA. Focal Plane Assembly of PLATO Instrument. International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO), 11180, DOI: 10.1117/12.2536050
This paper describes the thermo-mechanical design of the Focal Plane Assembly (FPA) of the PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) Instrument, developed by INTA and LIDAX. This is an ESA program with OHB as industry prime. In terms of assembly, alignment, and operational stability very demanding needs are required by a huge focal plane composed of four CCDs to assure the proper performance. This is translated into a complex thermo-mechanical design which shall be also focused on the correct production approach of the main parts involved, including several processes, and taking into account the number of cameras, and therefore Focal Plane Assemblies, to be produced (26). Part of these challenges, and their associated risks, are mitigated by means of the development of a totally representative prototype, which is currently finishing the integration phase and facing the test campaign.
