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SAFARI cryocooler on its way



SAFARI will focus on the star forming mechanisms. This instrument is expected to be at least one order of magnitude more sensitive than Herschel. This can only be achieved by developing detectors cooled down to 50 mK.

Published on 3 May 2011


Gaze at the Eagle Nebula, close to the centre of our Galaxy. Star forming regions can be spotted in this picture (centre and left portion). According to astrophysicists, hundreds of stars are born here. This picture was taken in April 2010 by two of the instruments on board the Herschel satellite whose detectors are cooled by cryocoolers provided by CEA-SBT.


The follow-up, SPICA (Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics), is currently under definition. SPICA is a Japanese led mission, that features a European core instrument SAFARI (SpicA FAr infraRed Instrument). Among other objectives, SAFARI will focus on the star forming mechanisms.


This instrument is expected to be at least one order of magnitude more sensitive than Herschel. This can only be achieved by developing detectors cooled down to 50 mK. A cooler developed at CEA-SBT, combining a sorption stage and an adiabatic demagnetization stage, will provide this temperature. The cooler shown in the picture was developed under a research program funded by the European Space Agency. For SAFARI, CEA-SBT is in charge of the coolers and will deliver engineering, qualification, flight and spare models for a launch expected around 2020. Our development plan has been validated by CNES and funding for the first phase has been approved.

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