Project purpose – Part of the PLATO Project

PCTC is a sub-project of the PLATO mission (more about project), where PCTC stands for PLATO Camera Transport Container – a transport container designed for the safe transportation of PLATO cameras during their integration.

PLATO Cameras

PLATO utilizes 26 cameras for simultaneous target observation. This configuration offers the following advantages:

• Increased accuracy and observation quality due to the combination of data from multiple cameras.
• Wider sky coverage compared to previous missions, enabling the monitoring of a larger number of stars and planets.

Main Components of PCTC

PCTC consists of three key components:

1. Outer Box (OB) – provides primary mechanical and thermal protection.
2. Inner Box (IB) – shields the camera from vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and contamination.
3. Transport Cart – facilitates handling and movement during transportation and integration.

This sophisticated transport system ensures the safe delivery and integration of key optical components for the PLATO mission, contributing to its scientific success.