Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Radio Corporation of America
- Summary
- This device was used to test solar panels of communications satellites prior to launch. Solar panels are a crucial component of a communications satellite, essential to providing the spacecraft with sufficient power continuously over a period of years. Testing the panels prior to launch ensured that they performed as required once in space.
- The test fixture holds a series of standard light sockets and bulbs. For a test, the fixture would be positioned near a satellite's solar panels. Additional test equipment would then assess if the solar panels, each covered with numerous individual solar cells, converted light energy into electrical energy according to expected performance criteria.
- Lockheed Martin donated this artifact to the Museum in 1998.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Lockheed Martin
- Inventory Number
- A19980296000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- EQUIPMENT-Test
- Materials
- Aluminum
- Aluminized Mylar
- Ceramic
- Adhesive
- Plastic
- Copper Alloy
- Stainless Steel
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 367 × 147.3 × 245.1cm (12 ft. 1/2 in. × 58 in. × 96 1/2 in.)
- Storage: 367 × 147.3 × 264.2cm (12 ft. 1/2 in. × 58 in. × 104 in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19980296000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv95eb05674-9d86-45f8-bb89-da60f59da716
