Focal plane cameras for ESA optical astronomy missions

Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have played an important role in imaging and spectroscopic measurements for visible wavelength astronomy. Their introduction has been largely responsible for driving the deployment of 8–10 m class telescopes, and in consequence have revolutionized experimental cosmology. Other scientific initiatives such as planet-finding are rapidly increasing in importance for the astronomical community, and we review two future European Space Agency missions which emphasize such new directions. In each case, we address some detailed design issues for their focal planes, showing how new CCD development activities may satisfy the mission requirements.