Industry Related News: United States – March, 2021:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed the newest weather satellite in their Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series, the GOES-R Series. The latest addition is titled the GOES-T and is designed to rotate at the same speed and direction as the Earth’s rotation to maintain consistent readings and analytics. The GOES-T has undergone several waves of vacuum chamber testing in anticipation for its scheduled launch this December, when it will be redesignated as GOES-18. It joins GOES-16, which looks over North America, Central America and South America, and GOES-17 over the Pacific Ocean under the designation GOES-West.
The thermal testing for this satellite is rigorous to ensure that the craft can launch safely and maintain a steady course orbiting Earth to give scientists the information they need to closer track storms and other weather conditions. The vacuum testing chamber sessions included operating the satellite in temperatures as high as 188°F (87°C) and as low as -67°F (-55°C) to simulate the harsh temperatures of space. This is meant not only to test the constitution of the hardware but the functionality of crucial electric motors and sensors to continue delivering data to their team. GOES-T has performed well, passing every round of testing thus far and weathering the relentless conditions of the vacuum thermal testing chamber. The craft only has a few more rounds of tests in Littleton, Colorado this Summer before it undergoes final inspection and gets the green light to launch at the end of 2021. These tests will include vibration and shock tests to simulate the effects of launch and analyze the performance of the motors and sensors under stress, as well as acoustic testing to take a different approach to the perils of launch and space travel before it reaches its final orbit.
The entire GOES-R series of satellites depend greatly on the professional environmental testing completed by the team at Lockheed Martin and NOAA. Without the ability to simulate extreme temperatures in their vacuum thermal testing chamber, they wouldn’t have indelible proof that each satellite’s components could survive the mission and the entire project could be at risk. This shows the importance of proper thermal testing equipment. Contact Khoury Industries today to learn about how we can assist with thermal testing on your own project and ensure the success and viability of your product!
WeatherNation, “Another Round of GOES-T Testing Complete, Launch Slated for December“ weathernationtv.com, March 2021, Accessed 30 March 2021.
NESDIS, “NOAA’s GOES-T Satellite Undergoes Testing to Simulate Launch and Orbit Conditions“ noaa.gov, September 29 2020, Accessed 30 March 2021.
ABOUT KHOURY INDUSTRIES
Khoury Industries is a worldwide leader in temperature testing equipment for device characterization, thermal cycling equipment, and failure analysis. Khoury Industries designs and manufactures custom thermal testing chambers and microwave thermal testing fixtures used in a variety of industries including: military, space, automotive, medical, research, and communication fields. The Khoury Box and the patented ELI-1000 have quickly become industry favorites as thermal testing devices used to ensure the reliability of industrial and electronic products through prolonged exposure to extreme conditions.
For more information, contact:
Penny Aicardi
Khoury Industries
5 Mechanic Street
Bellingham, MA 02019
[email protected]
