SPACE — A satellite experienced serious problems after being launched into space last year. Engineers had to immediately pivot after the Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1) belonging to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) got stuck.
At that time, SSPD-1 was involved in a modular spacecraft experiment: The Deployable On-Orbit Ultralight Composite Experiment (DOLCE). A new video shows how the mission team made improvements to DOLCE.
The Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1) aims to try out how to deploy modular satellites in space. The hope is that one day, an entire constellation of similar machines will be ready to carry out science missions in orbit of our planet.
The problem arose when the DOLCE wire got caught, damaging the connection between the satellite boom and the structure. Initially, engineers managed to overcome the problem after helping the satellite get exposure to the sun’s heat, but new problems emerged again.
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DOLCE instruments do not disperse as they should, even after warming up. “Parts of the structure jammed beneath the deployment mechanism, something that has never been seen in laboratory testing,” Caltech engineers wrote in a statement.
Using images from DOLCE cameras, the team reproduced the glitches in the laboratory and developed a strategy to fix them remotely. The solution is to force the DOLCE actuator to vibrate the satellite structure which ultimately breaks up the jam.
One of the leaders and Caltech professor, Sergio Pellegrino, said that such orbital challenges will make the next satellite stronger. Because, the designers already know what problems might occur after the experiment.
More importantly, the demonstration satellite was still successful despite experiencing two problems during its deployment. “The problem-solving process has given us many new insights and sharply focused us on the relationship between modular structures and diagonal booms,” said Pellegrino.
“We have developed new ways to combat the impact of weight in deployable ultralight structures.”
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After deployment, the satellite collected solar energy for more than 240 days using three new types of solar cells previously untested in space. The test team hopes to mass-produce similar cells to make solar power cheaper.
Currently, Solar cells designed for space are typically 100 times more expensive than cells on Earth. Because these cells must be strong against radiation and microgravity.
2024-01-22 14:53:00
#Video #Scientists #Repair #Satellite #Stuck #Space
