Alcatel Space has completed work on a telescope, which will be part of a scientific mission throughout the next couple of years. It has delivered the Corotel telescope to the National Institute for Sciences of the Universe on behalf of French space agency CNES. The Corotel telescope will now be mounted on the Corot satellite, which is likely to be launched in 2006. The goal of the mission is to study the inside of stars and look for new planets. The mission will have at least six observation periods within three years after launch. According to Alcatel, the Corot mission marks a key scientific first in terms of studying the internal structure of stars.

Alcatel Space Chairman and CEO Pascale Sourisse said, “Alcatel Space is delighted to be involved in the project. We are very proud to deliver the Corotel instrument to CNES, who chose us for a pivotal role in this ambitious scientific program that will expand our knowledge of the universe.”