Imperial astrophysicists prepare for the launch of the Herschel Space Observatory and Planck microwave telescope today

Dr Dave Clements and Professor Andrew Jaffe have been involved in the missions since their inception over 20 years ago

Physicists from Imperial College London are preparing for the launch of two new multi-million euro space telescopes that could transform our view of how planets, stars and galaxies are born, and give new insights into what the universe was like shortly after the Big Bang.

European Space Agency (ESA) space telescopes Herschel and Planck are due to be launched together into space on an Ariane V rocket from French Guiana, on Thursday 14 May 2009.

Read the College press release and watch a video of Dr Dave Clements and Professor Andrew Jaffe speak about the missions.