On-ground and in-orbit characterisation plan for the PLATO CCD normal cameras
2017
PLAnetary Transits and Ocillations (PLATO) is the third European Space Agency (ESA)
medium class mission in ESA’s cosmic vision programme due for launch in 2026. PLATO will carry
out high precision un-interrupted photometric monitoring in the visible band of large samples of
bright solar-type stars. The primary mission goal is to detect and characterise terrestrial exoplanets
and their systems with emphasis on planets orbiting in the habitable zone, this will be achieved using
light curves to detect planetary transits. PLATO uses a novel multi- instrument concept consisting
of 26 small wide field cameras The 26 cameras are made up of a telescope optical unit, four Teledyne
e2v CCD270s mounted on a focal plane array and connected to a set of Front End Electronics (FEE)
which provide CCD control and readout. There are 2 fast cameras with high read-out cadence (2.5 s)
for magnitude ∼ 4–8 stars, being developed by the German Aerospace Centre and 24 normal (N)
cameras with a cadence of 25 s to monitor stars with a magnitude greater than 8. The N-FEEs are
being developed at University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) and
will be characterised along with the associated CCDs. The CCDs and N-FEEs will undergo rigorous
on-ground characterisation and the performance of the CCDs will continue to be monitored in-orbit.
This paper discusses the initial development of the experimental arrangement, test procedures and
current status of the N-FEE. The parameters explored will include gain, quantum efficiency, pixel
response non-uniformity, dark current and Charge Transfer Inefficiency (CTI). The current in-orbit
characterisation plan is also discussed which will enable the performance of the CCDs and their
associated N-FEE to be monitored during the mission, this will include measurements of CTI giving
an indication of the impact of radiation damage in the CCDs.
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