NPOESS is the nation's nexgen low Earth orbiting weather and climate monitoring system, which will provide timely and essential data to civilian and military users through 2025. Vibration testing of the first Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) flight unit, including both the OptoMechanical Module and the Electronics Module, was completed in early February. Follow-up analysis of the test data and hardware inspection is on-going. Vibration testing was conducted to help ensure that the VIIRS science instrument will withstand the rigors of launch. Preparations for thermal vacuum testing are underway and will lead to an expected start of the test in April. The thermal vacuum test is the last environmental risk mitigation test. The test checks operations in orbit, and verifies sensor performance against key requirements. It is used to determine flight-worthiness of the instrument and to detect workmanship deficiencies that may affect performance on-orbit by subjecting it to flight-like operating conditions. The first VIIRS sensor will fly aboard the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite to be launched in late 2010.
Satnews Daily
February 19th, 2009
Good, Good Vibrations For NPOESS
NPOESS is the nation's nexgen low Earth orbiting weather and climate monitoring system, which will provide timely and essential data to civilian and military users through 2025. Vibration testing of the first Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) flight unit, including both the OptoMechanical Module and the Electronics Module, was completed in early February. Follow-up analysis of the test data and hardware inspection is on-going. Vibration testing was conducted to help ensure that the VIIRS science instrument will withstand the rigors of launch. Preparations for thermal vacuum testing are underway and will lead to an expected start of the test in April. The thermal vacuum test is the last environmental risk mitigation test. The test checks operations in orbit, and verifies sensor performance against key requirements. It is used to determine flight-worthiness of the instrument and to detect workmanship deficiencies that may affect performance on-orbit by subjecting it to flight-like operating conditions. The first VIIRS sensor will fly aboard the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite to be launched in late 2010.