Euclid’s first year in space

Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands

Abstract

July 1^st, 2023. Cape Canaveral. 11:11 am.

10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1.. LIFT-OFF!

Against a beautiful blue sky, the Falcon-9 rocket carrying our ‘baby’ streaks into the sky, 8 miles away from our vantage point. Almost one minute later the crackling sound of the rocket engines arrives. I manage to follow the disappearing rocket with my binoculars for two minutes, until the main engine cuts off. Half an hour later, on the big screen set up next to our bleachers full of colleagues and family at the Banana Creek viewing site, we see the upper stage rocket switch off and deliver its precious cargo into space. Soon after, ultrarelieved mission managers at ESA receive the first radio signals. We have a spacecraft, we have a mission!