NOAA’s GOES-U satellite completes solar array deployment test

GOES-U, the fourth and closing satellite in NOAA’s GOES-R Sequence, lately accomplished a profitable take a look at deployment of its solar array to make sure it’s going to operate correctly in space.

This important take a look at verified that the satellite’s giant, five-panel solar array—which is folded up when the satellite is launched—will correctly deploy when GOES-U reaches geostationary orbit. Throughout this take a look at, engineers unfurled the 5 panels on rails that simulated the zero-gravity surroundings of space. Every solar panel is roughly 13 toes tall by 4.5 toes extensive and weighs roughly 45 kilos.

As soon as GOES-U reaches orbit, the deployed solar panels will kind a single solar array wing that can rotate as soon as per day to constantly level its photovoltaic (solar) cells towards the sun. The photovoltaic cells will convert power from the sun into electrical energy to energy the whole satellite, together with the devices, computer systems, information processors, sensors, and telecommunications tools. The solar array will generate greater than 5,000 watts of energy for the satellite. That is equal to the facility wanted to run a central air con system in your house.

The solar array was developed and constructed by Lockheed Martin at its Sunnyvale, California, facility and examined at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Littleton, Colorado, the place GOES-U was assembled. GOES-U is scheduled to launch in April 2024.

The GOES-R Program is a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA. NASA builds and launches the satellites for NOAA, which operates them and distributes their information to customers worldwide. The satellites present important information for weather forecasts and warnings, detecting and monitoring environmental hazards like fireplace, smoke, fog, volcanic ash, and dust, and monitoring solar exercise and space climate.