Swiss-developed exoplanet telescope launched into space
The launch was originally scheduled for Tuesday morning but ran into a software problem.
Keystone / Esa Handout
A space telescope designed by Swiss researchers to observe distant planets successfully launched on Wednesday, after a first attempt was delayed by 24 hours because of a software problem.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/AP/gw
A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the CHEOPS (Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite) telescope blasted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 05:54 local time (09:54 CET) for a joint European space mission. The satellite will separate from the rocket after roughly 145 minutes.
During the three-year mission, the CHEOPSExternal link satellite will study 100 of the more than 4,000 exoplanets – planets which exist outside the solar system –discovered so far. Astronomers are keen to find out more about their composition, information that may help them to better understand the origins of planet Earth and conditions for extraterrestrial life.
“We are one planetary system among many,” Didier Queloz, the Swiss Nobel Physics Prize winner who leads the CHEOPS science team, told the Associated Press. “It’s all about our place in the universe and trying to understand it.”
CHEOPS was developed by researchers at the University of Bern in collaboration with other Swiss firms, including Ruag Space and Thales Alenia, and the European Space Agency. It was initially scheduled to launch on the Soyuz rocket on Tuesday morning, but a software problem in the upper stage of the rocket just before lift-off led to a 24-hour delay.
On Tuesday the International Astronomical Union also announced new names for about 110 exoplanets and their stars following a campaign to mark its 100th anniversary. Countries were allowed to propose names for a planet and its star. The Swiss population’s choice of the names “Eiger” and “Mönch” will be given to exoplanet “HD 130322 b” and its star, respectively – matching the constellation of Jungfrau in which the system is located.
In addition to the CHEOPS telescope, the Soyuz rocket also carried an Earth observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency, plus three other satellites developed by the French and the European Space Agency.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign Affairs
Swiss defence industry moving abroad to escape neutrality
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
This content was published on
The bise, a cold dry wind, played havoc with air traffic at Zurich Airport on Friday. Numerous flights were delayed and some were cancelled.
UBS reportedly in talks to sell hedge fund O’Connor
This content was published on
UBS is in talks to sell O'Connor, one of its hedge fund units (high-risk funds), to the US firm Cantor Fitzgerald, according to Bloomberg.
Six anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes reported a week in Switzerland
This content was published on
On average, almost six hate crimes are reported a week against LGBTQ+ people in Switzerland. Last year there were 309 cases.
Swiss authorities profit from unexchanged banknotes
This content was published on
The Swiss government and cantons will receive over CHF700 million from the Swiss National Bank because old banknotes worth almost CHF1 billion have not been exchanged.
This content was published on
The legal distribution of cannabis can reduce problematic consumption, particularly among people who also use other drugs, according to a study from Basel.
Banks increasingly active in use of artificial intelligence
This content was published on
Having overcome initial reticence, more and more retail banks are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise processes and offer new products.
This content was published on
During the collision of lead nuclei at almost the speed of light, the conversion of lead into gold was measured using a new mechanism.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss scientists win Nobel Prize in Physics
This content was published on
Swiss scientists Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics together with Canadian-American James Peebles.
This content was published on
A space telescope developed by Swiss researchers to observe distant planets has passed all tests and is ready to be launched into orbit end of the year.
Why Geneva remains at the centre of exoplanet research
This content was published on
Home-grown astronomers are meeting their international counterparts and highlighting their contributions to the field, not least the CHEOPS telescope.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.