The different RSU models

The Euclid VIS shutter unit (RSU) is not directly built as a flight unit, but a number of preliminarily models are constructed in advance in order to progressively test the robustness and the maturity of the design.
According to the standard practices for the construction of flight hardware and the specific requirements of the Euclid VIS instrument, the following RSU models are being built:
  • The Engineering Model (EM)
  • The Thermal and Structural Model (STM)
  • The Bread-Board Model (BM)
  • The Qualification Model (QM)
  • The Flight Model (FM)
  • The Flight Spare (FS).

The Flight Model

The FM model, i.e. the model that will be mounted on the Euclid spacecraft, has been assembled in May 2019 and we show below a few photos.

The assembled RSU FM (credits: APCO Technologies).