The mid-infrared channel of the EChO mission

The Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory, EChO, is a dedicated space mission to investigate the physics and chemistry of Exoplanet atmospheres. Using the differential spectroscopy by transit method, it provides simultaneously a complete spectrum in a wide wavelength range between 0.4 mu m and 16 mu m of the atmosphere of exoplanets. The payload is subdivided into 6 channels. The mid-infrared channel covers the spectral range between 5 mu m and 11 mu m. In order to optimize the instrument response and the science objectives, the bandpass is split in two using an internal dichroic. We present the opto-mechanical concept of the MWIR channel and the detector development that have driven the thermal and mechanical designs of the channel. The estimated end-to-end performance is also presented.