Solar (array) power

PERKINS TWP. — In one day, space officials gave the A-OK after performing solar array tests.Engineers recently wrapped up an additional round of experiments on Orion, a mission aiming to carry astronauts into deep space and possibly Mars, at the Erie County-based NASA Plum Brook Station.The analysis, only taking about 30 minutes, proved these devices can generate enough electricity to power the spacecraft's computers and critical life support systems.Without them, crew members can't explore — and, more importantly, won't survive — while in space.NASA representatives were enthusiastic upon seeing the results."We are so happy about it," said Nicole Smith, the NASA project manager in charge of Orion's testing at Plum Brook. "We proved that the service module structure is well-designed and robust, and we learned a lot about the structure and confirmed, through our analytical models, that the solar arrays can live through a very violent environment during the launch and ascent loads."This year, engineers performed two sets of tests on Orion's solar arrays at Plum Brook. The first round took place in March. Back then, engineers successfully extended a folded up solar array wing attached on Orion.The testing served as an "important first step to verify Orion's power system for the spacecraft's flight … which will venture tens of thousands of miles beyond the moon," according to a NASA statement.In the following weeks and months, portions of Orion successfully underwent various other tests — including for sound, vibration, temperature and pyro shocks, which simulated rocky conditions found in space — at Plum Brook.Orion's next test at Plum Brook isn't scheduled until mid-2017."We will perform an acoustic test on the new hatch on the launch abort system," Smith said. The launch abort system is used to safely pull the crew away from the rocket in the event of a failure."Then EM-1, the vehicle that goes to space with people on it, will be here in spring of 2018 for testing," Smith said.Data obtained through testing helps NASA personnel best determine and understand Orion's capabilities before a scheduled launch, with crew aboard, to the moon in 2021 and Mars sometime afterward. Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOurielThe team working on Orion's solar arrays at the NASA Plum Brook Station pose for a photo in front of the technology.At the NASA Plum Brook Station in Erie County, crews recently completed tests on Orion's solar arrays. The analysis, only taking about 30 minutes, proved these devices can generate enough electricity to power the spacecraft's computers and critical life support systems. Without them, crew members can't explore — and, more importantly, won't survive — while in space.