Dr. Carsten Reese (OHB, Bremen)

PLATO - Searching for Habitable Planets

"PLATO" is the third medium-class scientific mission funded by ESA in the frame of the "Cosmic Vision" programme. It aims on the detection and characterisation of extrasolar planets in the habitable zone of sun-like stars. Within this presentation, an introduction into the PLATO mission as well as the spacecraft design with its specific challenges will be given. Focus is set on the physics of the detection of extrasolar planets, the description of the scientific goals of the mission, and the driving factors for the unique satellite design.