PACE’s Journey Enters The Thermal Testing Phase
Industry Related News: United States – October 2023
In space exploration, every project demands precision, dedication, and rigorous testing to ensure its success. Among these missions is the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) spacecraft, which reached a key milestone in its development at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The spacecraft, with a scheduled launch of January 2024, underwent an extensive Thermal Vacuum Test (TVAC), intended to verify its performance in outer space.
Thermal testing is not just an important stage in the development of spacecraft, it’s a necessary process that mimics the conditions that these projects will face. In the words of Craig Stevens, the spacecraft systems lead, “This is the best way to simulate what PACE will experience in space.”
The primary objective of the TVAC test was to verify the space worthiness of the PACE spacecraft. Mark Voyton, the mission project manager, emphasized the significance of this test by stating, “Completing the TVAC test is extremely significant, as it represents the last environmental test in our six-month environmental test campaign.” Essentially, this method of testing proves that PACE can withstand the harsh thermal environment it will encounter during its journey.
The steps to the thermal testing phase were not easy. Before the actual testing could commence, the spacecraft was placed in the thermal chamber for setup, marking the beginning of a week-long process. Each team involved in the PACE project carefully verified their respective components of the observatory, ensuring everything was in working order. The testing phase itself was no less challenging. The team worked tirelessly, covering three shifts, ensuring that operations ran seamlessly around the clock for the entire duration of the test.
The TVAC test subjected the PACE spacecraft to extreme temperatures, replicating the conditions it would encounter in space. Powers explained, “This is the final verification that everything is working on the spacecraft as expected. We take it to temperature extremes as well.” By simulating these extreme conditions, the team aimed to ensure that every aspect of the spacecraft was not only operational but also optimally designed from a thermal perspective. It was a vital check to ensure that PACE could handle the demanding challenges it would face.
This pivotal phase in the mission was a culmination of months of preparation, rigorous testing, and a colossal effort from a dedicated team. As PACE now proceeds to its next stages of testing, it is one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of the Earth’s ecosystems from space.
phys.org, “NASA’s PACE Spacecraft Successfully Completes Key Environmental Test”, Accessed October 29
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