A new procedure was devised to de-ice Euclid's optics, which had decreased throughout in the visible due to the ice accumulated on the mirrors. These formed because spacecraft components absorbed water during assembly on Earth, and released them gradually in space. The de-ice procedure has performed significantly better than hoped, restoring Euclid's high spatial resolution in the visible.
The successful de-ice procedure has enabled scientists and engineers to tell where precisely the ice had formed, and where it is likely to form again. It will be straightforward to repeat this targeted procedure every six to twelve months, maintaining Euclid's sharp vision into the dark Universe.
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