E-TEST is organized into 2 sub-projects:
1- On the geological side, the objective of E-TEST is to provide a comprehensive survey of geological conditions of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR) site for ET and to identify exact coordinates for the where to optimally place ET in the border region between Belgium, the Netherlands & Germany (Euregio Meuse-Rhine).
The unique selling points of the E-TEST geology program can be summaries as follows:
- Drilling five deep boreholes in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine: One in Banhold NL, one in Cottessen NL, one in Aubel BE, and two in Hombourg BE
- Extensive seismic surface campaigns to image the underground
- It provides the essential prerequisites for a bid of hosting ET in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine
2- The objective of the E-TEST instrumentation sub-project is to develop a facility for validating ET-LF technology, i.e. a ‘large’ silicon mirror, an excellent suspension system for isolating the mirror from seismic motion, and a cooling strategy that is compatible with the isolation system. An active isolation system will be used and combined with a quasi-radiative cooling system at 25 K. A new patterned heat exchanger working radiatively have to be designed and implemented.
To take advantages of the existing expertise and infrastructure available in the EMR, it is proposed to build the E-TEST mirror prototype in cryogenic conditions in the existing facilities at the Space Centre of Liège (CSL) and to keep advantages of their knowledge cryogenic qualification of Space Instruments. The technology will then be validated/demonstrated in relevant environment at CSL ULIège (end TRL5/ beginning TRL6).
The unique selling points of E-TEST instrumentation program can be summarized as follows:
- Development of a quietly-suspended, large, cryogenic silicon mirror (at 25Kelvin, almost the absolute zero)
- Development and characterization of subsystems and innovative components