PLATO passes thermal-vacuum tests in ESA's Large Space Simulator

European Space Agency/PLATO

PLATO spent early March 2026 in ESA's Large Space Simulator, where a near-perfect vacuum, liquid-nitrogen-cooled walls and Sun-like lamps pushed it beyond the conditions it will meet in orbit. The tests checked that its cameras, which must spot brightness changes under 80 parts per million, stay in focus when heated and cooled.

• Solar-panel side heated to about 150 C; camera side cooled to between -70 and -90 C.
• Camera focus is tuned by controlling the temperature of the optical tubes.
• ESA then expected PLATO to be launch-ready at the end of 2026, for a January 2027 launch.