This week we continued with attitude control system testing. Currently the SPE, shunt box, SCS, transponder, WIE, the ACE, the digital sun sensor, the gyros, the torquer bars, and the reaction wheels are fully integrated.
Here is the spacecraft as it now looks. The test connector panel
is now installed. The magnetometer is
on the boom which sticks well above the upper deck. The magnetometer is
surrounded by test coils which produce a known magnetic field. The spacecraft equipment panels are made of
graphite composite bonded in a rib pattern for strength. The panels
are painted white as part of the temperature control for the electronics.
In the left photo, Ken Barnes oversees the ACS software tests as Cheryl
Albert controls the spacecraft. In the right photo, John Classen and
Joe Baros prepare equipment for next week's RF compatibility test.
The compatibility test verifies that the ground systems will be able
to communicate with the spacecraft.
Next week we will run ACS dynamic simulations and the RF compatibility test.
Previous updates:
August 18, 1997
October 20, 1997
October 31, 1997
November 7, 1997
November 14, 1997
November 21, 1997