Planck

Also known as Cosmic Background Radiation Anisotropy Satellite/Satellite for Measurement of Background Anisotropies, COBRAS/SAMBA

former ESA space observatory

Key facts

Names: COBRAS/SAMBA
Mission type: Space telescope
Operator: ESA
Cospar id: 2009-026B
Website: www .esa .int /planck
Mission duration: Planned: >15 months , Final: 4 years, 5 months, 8 days
Manufacturer: Thales Alenia Space
Launch mass: 1,950 kg (4,300 lb)
Payload mass: 205 kg (452 lb)
Dimensions: Body: 4.20 m × 4.22 m (13.8 ft × 13.8 ft)
Launch date: 14 May 2009, 13:12:02 UTC ( 2009-05-14UTC13:12:02 )
Rocket: Ariane 5 ECA

Article

Contemporary ESA insignia (2000s) Horizon 2000 (Science Programme)

Planck was a space observatory operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) from 2009 to 2013. The project aimed to map the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at microwave and infrared frequencies, with high sensitivity and angular resolution. The mission provided data that substantially improved upon previous observations made by the NASA Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP).