NASA Begins New Deployable Solar Array Tech Demo on Pathfinder Spacecraft
Technology tamfitronics WEBWIRE – Wednesday, October 23, 2024NASA recently evaluated initial flight data and imagery from Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-4(PTD-4), confirming proper checkout of the spacecrafts systems including its on-board electronics as well as the payloads support systems such as the small onboard camera. Shown above is a test image of Earth taken by the payload camera, shortly after PTD-4 reached orbit. This camera will continuephotographing the technology demonstration during the mission.Payload operations arenow underway for the primary objective ofthePTD-4mission the demonstration ofa new power and communications technology for future spacecraft. The payload, adeployable solar array with an integrated antenna called the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna, or LISA-T, has initiated deployment of its central boom structure. The boom supports four solar power and communication arrays, also called petals. Releasing thecentralboom pushes the...