Industry Related News: United States – March 2023:
The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University has announced that it has completed crucial tests on NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE), which is planned to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS). AWE will study gravity waves in the Earth’s atmosphere to gain a deeper understanding of the physics and characteristics of atmospheric gravity waves. Scientists will use this data to understand how weather here on Earth influences satellite communications.
Thermal vacuum testing is a critical step in ensuring that a space instrument can function properly in space. During this test, the AWE instrument was placed within a vacuum chamber where it was exposed to a simulated space environment. The vacuum chamber cycled between extremely hot and cold temperatures to identify any potential issues that may arise due to temperature differences, and to ensure that AWE can operate reliably in space.
In addition to testing the instrument’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures, the thermal vacuum chamber also verified the performance of AWE’s thermal control system at flight temperatures. This system is designed to regulate the temperature of the craft to ensure that it remains within the range required for successful imaging and data collection.
AWE’s mission is focused on understanding gravity waves in Earth’s atmosphere at altitudes between 50 and 500 kilometers. Weather in this region can significantly disrupt space-based communication systems due to the high concentration of electrically charged particles. New knowledge from AWE will help scientists more accurately forecast the impact of atmospheric gravity waves and weather on satellite communications. AWE underwent various tests, and is now preparing for the next steps of preparation.
spaceref.com, “Space Dynamics Lab Completes Space Environment Tests for AWE”, Accessed 29 March 2023
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