Solar Panels for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Pass Key Thermal Testing
Industry Related News: August 2024 – United States
NASA recently conducted a crucial thermal testing phase on the solar panels for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, ensuring they can endure the extreme conditions of space. The panels were placed in a thermal vacuum chamber at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, simulating the harsh environment of space. This process subjected them to fluctuating temperatures and the vacuum of space to test their durability and performance.
Thermal testing is essential for validating the design and reliability of space-bound equipment, as solar panels must operate efficiently under varying and extreme conditions to provide consistent power to the telescope. The panels not only need to survive the cold of space but also the intense heat when exposed to direct sunlight. The success of these tests is a significant milestone, indicating that the panels can maintain their structural integrity and function as intended in space.
This successful testing phase brings the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope closer to its planned launch, with the solar panels now cleared for installation. The thermal vacuum tests are a testament to the rigorous processes in place to ensure that every component of the telescope can withstand the demanding environment of space, ultimately contributing to the mission’s goal of exploring the universe with unprecedented clarity.
Citation: NASA. (2024, August 21). Solar panels for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope pass key tests. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/roman-space-telescope/solar-panels-for-nasas-roman-space-telescope-pass-key-tests/
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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 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.
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Khoury Industries
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ELI-1000
A Remote, Compact Testing Solution
This revolutionary system combines a thermal source and custom or standard chamber into one system. The interchangeable chamber feature of the ELI-1000 allows users to easily accommodate their varying industry needs. The patented technology in the ELI-1000 allows for a steady state operation with a heating/cooling system that can be operated and controlled independently of each other.
Khoury Box
RF, Microwave Thermal testing
Controlling temperature with precision at the device case is a major benefit of the Khoury Box thermal test fixture. The DUT is isolated in a localized enclosure (at temperature) with the thermal air circulated around the device under test or DUT. Tester interface utilizes impedance-matched connections to ensure true and accurate test signals between the tester, the thermal test fixture, and the DUT.