Hello everyone! Welcome back to my solar blog. As you know, I love following the latest news and advancements when it comes to using solar technology. Today, we’re going to talk about something that truly left me in awe – a solar-powered spacecraft slated to reach Jupiter’s moon Europa by the year 2030.
NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is a testament to the enormous potential of solar power. This construction is not your everyday-sized solar array for home use. Instead, it’s an array that’s built to operate in extreme conditions that human-made solar panels for your home could only dream about.
The Clipper is on a mission to explore one of Jupiter’s moons. Named Europa, this icy moon has shown signs of having an under-ice ocean, and scientists believe it could potentially host life. With Europa Clipper, we’re pushing the boundaries of solar technology as it’s going to be the largest spacecraft that NASA has embarked on for a planetary mission.
Now, you might wonder why solar? Just as any solar company would tell you, solar is a reliable and environmentally friendly source of energy. However, the distances in play here are immense. Jupiter’s orbit is over five times further from the sun than Earth’s! Europa Clipper’s solar arrays have to capture and convert sunshine into electricity efficiently in a place where sunlight is faint.
Europa Clipper’s solar array holds ten solar panels in two wings. Each of these solar array wings measures an impressive 46.5 feet in length. As many solar companies know, Earth’s gravity poses a challenge while testing and fine-tuning this setup. Hence, NASA’s team uses a gravity offload support system, specifically designed to bear the weight of the solar array while on Earth.
To power missions as advanced as the Europa Clipper, not just any solar cell will do. The solar company behind the solar cells, uses Azur Space 3G28 solar cells known for their self-healing properties and ability to withstand the intense radiation in space.
Pay attention, because this part amazed me when I dug into it. The solar array folds herself and launches, only to expand later using spring-motorized hinges. Yes, it literally unfolds itself in space!
Europa Clipper loaded with almost 6,000 lbs of fuel will begin its journey in October 2024. Launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, it will use the gravity of Mars and Earth to speed its way to its final destination, reaching Jupiter by 2030.
Yes, we may not be putting solar arrays like that on our homes soon, but understanding the astounding progress in the field of solar technology can help us appreciate the potential of solar panels for your home, and entice more individuals to look into solar companies for their energy needs. The use of solar power in advancements like the Europa Clipper spacecraft shows that the potential for solar is quite literally, out of this world!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/08/05/solar-array-installed-for-mission-to-jupiters-icy-moon-europa/
