Lucy’s solar panel problem could be due to strap
According to the engineering team for the Lucy asteroid mission, they now think the incomplete deployment of one of the probe’s solar panels was caused by a strap.
The joint Anomaly Response Team has been studying the array using an engineering model. Initial tests indicate that the lanyard that pulls out the solar array may not have completed the process successfully; however, it is still uncertain what caused this condition. The team is conducting more tests to determine if this is indeed the case, and what the root cause might be.
An attempt to characterize the array deployment by attempting to move it would occur no earlier than Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, they have been turning on Lucy’s instruments one by one, with everything functioning as planned, except for that one solar panel. The panel however is a serious concern, as the spacecraft is heading out to the orbit of Jupiter, where it will need every inch of solar panel surface area to get enough power to operate. At the moment it appears the panel is deployed somewhere between 75% to 95%.
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According to the engineering team for the Lucy asteroid mission, they now think the incomplete deployment of one of the probe’s solar panels was caused by a strap.
The joint Anomaly Response Team has been studying the array using an engineering model. Initial tests indicate that the lanyard that pulls out the solar array may not have completed the process successfully; however, it is still uncertain what caused this condition. The team is conducting more tests to determine if this is indeed the case, and what the root cause might be.
An attempt to characterize the array deployment by attempting to move it would occur no earlier than Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, they have been turning on Lucy’s instruments one by one, with everything functioning as planned, except for that one solar panel. The panel however is a serious concern, as the spacecraft is heading out to the orbit of Jupiter, where it will need every inch of solar panel surface area to get enough power to operate. At the moment it appears the panel is deployed somewhere between 75% to 95%.
In order to remain completely independent and honest in my writing, I accept no sponsorships from big space companies or any political organizations. Nor do I depend on ads.
Instead, I rely entirely on the generosity of readers to keep Behind the Black running. You can either make a one time donation for whatever amount you wish, or you sign up for a monthly subscription ranging from $2 to $15 through Paypal, or $3 to $50 through Patreon, or any amount through Zelle.
The best method to donate or subscribe is by using Zelle through your internet bank account, since it charges no fees to you or I. You will need to give my name and email address (found at the bottom of the "About" page). What you donate is what I get.
To use Patreon, go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
For PayPal click one of the following buttons:
If these electronic payment methods don't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
And this simple solar panel is like a toy compared to the origami on steroids known as JWST that is about to be launched. Cognizant engineers and managers: make sure your Maalox supply is well stocked.
Seems like we need to start including small robots with these probes that have Swiss Army-like end effectors that could help with diagnosing and then potentially correct such issues. The Galileo probe to Jupiter had a similar problem with the antenna where one of the spars failed to be released from its launch position which caused complete failure of the antenna. Fortunately, much of that mission could be salvaged by innovative uses of the small low-gain antenna and compression algorithms.
I suspect they will manage ways around this, much the same way they managed to work around the badly-deployed Galileo high-gain antenna.
That said, plutonium is the way to go for deep space missions. See also: Mars rovers.
I’ll say it again, why didn’t this thing have rectangular panels? Juno has them and it works fine, not counting that stuck valve. These circular panels are unnecessarily complicated. And once more my K. I. S. S. sensibilities are enraged. Time for more tea.
mpthompson suggested: “Seems like we need to start including small robots with these probes that have Swiss Army-like end effectors that could help with diagnosing and then potentially correct such issues.”
Sounds like we are giving up on reliability and depending upon a robot for repairing the results of our laziness. Unless there isn’t reliability for the robot and the mission is harmed or lost anyway.