About SPICA
SPICA is the next-generation, space infrared observatory, following in the footsteps of IRAS,ISO, Spitzer, AKARI and Herschel. With its 3.2-meter telescope cryogenically cooled to 6 Kelvin, SPICA provides an extremely low background level environment. With its instrument suite, designed with state-of-the art detectors to fully exploit this low background, SPICA will provide high spatial resolution and unprecedented sensitivity in the mid- and far-infrared.
These unique capabilities will bridge the gap between ALMA/large submm ground telescopes and JWST/large ground opt.-IR telescopes. Thus astronomers will be allowed to address key problems in present-day astronomy in many research areas, ranging from the formation of planets to the large scale star-formation history of the Universe. SPICA is proposed as a Japanese-led mission, with extensive international collaboration. The satellite is targeted for launch in 2022 with a nominal mission lifetime of three years.
Focal Plane Instruments: Fact Sheet (Updated on 2013/June/13, JST)
The most up-to-date specifications of the Focal Plane Instrument suite
onboard SPICA are given below:
Single ZIP file including all of the sheets below
Conference poster
