The structural thermal model of the CHIME instrument on the shaker at IAGB’s facilities in Germany. CHIME’s unique visible to shortwave-infrared spectrometer to return information that supports new and enhanced services for sustainable agricultural and biodiversity management, as well to characterise soil properties, which is key to vegetation health.

As part of the development process, the instrument model underwent rigorous testing to ensure that it can endure the challenges of liftoff and the harsh conditions of life in orbit. These essential tests involved placing the instrument in a vacuum chamber and subjecting it to extreme temperature fluctuations, verifying that its weight and centre of mass align with design specifications, and mounting it on a shaker, shown in the video, to confirm its resilience against the intense vibrations and noise it will encounter during launch.