{"id":12966,"date":"2025-01-28T12:03:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T16:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/nasas-punch-mission-tests-solar-arrays-before-launch\/"},"modified":"2025-01-28T12:03:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T16:03:34","slug":"nasas-punch-mission-tests-solar-arrays-before-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/nasas-punch-mission-tests-solar-arrays-before-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s PUNCH Mission Tests Solar Arrays Before Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASA\u2019s PUNCH Mission Tests Solar Arrays Before Launch<\/h2>\n

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Crews conduct a solar array deployment test on the spacecraft of NASA\u2019s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) satellites at Astrotech Space Operations located inside Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.<\/div>\n
USSF 30th Space Wing\/Antonio Ramos<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Technicians supporting NASA\u2019s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission deployed and tested the spacecraft\u2019s solar arrays at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California ahead of its launch next month.<\/p>\n

The arrays, essential for powering instruments and systems, mark another milestone in preparing PUNCH<\/a> for its mission to study the Sun\u2019s outer atmosphere as it transitions into the solar wind. Technicians performed the tests in a specialized cleanroom environment to prevent contamination and protect the sensitive equipment.<\/p>\n

Comprised of four suitcase-sized satellites working together as a constellation, PUNCH will capture continuous 3D images of the Sun\u2019s corona and the solar wind\u2019s journey into the solar system. Led by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) for NASA, the mission aims to deepen our understanding of the Sun and solar wind and how they affect humanity\u2019s technology on Earth and our continued exploration of the solar system.<\/p>\n

Successful solar array testing brings the spacecraft another step toward readiness for launch. The agency\u2019s PUNCH mission is targeting liftoff as a rideshare with NASA\u2019s SPHEREx<\/a> (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg\u2019s Space Launch Complex 4E no earlier than Thursday, Feb. 27.<\/p>\n

Image credit: USSF 30th Space Wing\/Antonio Ramos<\/em><\/p>\n

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\nLaura Aguiar <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Technicians supporting NASA\u2019s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission deployed and tested the spacecraft\u2019s solar arrays at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California ahead of its launch next month. The arrays, essential for powering instruments and systems, mark another milestone in preparing PUNCH for its [\u2026] Continue reading → <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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