A full-size working model of Gaia's internal systems arrived in Germany this week. The Avionics Model (AVM) is mounted in a circular set-up representing the systems on the actual satellite, now orbiting the Sun–Earth L2 point.

With the model at ESA's European Space Operations Centre, ESOC, in Darmstadt, Germany, the ESA flight control specialists responsible for Gaia now have access to a fully functional test bench of the inner workings of the billion-star surveyor.

The model will remain at ESOC for the rest of the mission, with the team trained to use and maintain it with the support of Airbus Defence and Space, Toulouse, the prime contractor during Gaia's development.

The model was 4x4 m at its base, and could only be moved at night owing to its size.

Additional images of the AVM arrival are available here.

Credits: ESA/L. Guilpain - CC BY-SA IGO 3.0

[Published: 01/07/2015]