Delfi-C3 - Solar panel release mechanism test underway

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Solar panel release mechanism test underway

Tuesday the 29th of november the solar panel relaes mechanism was tested by members of the Delfi-C3 team at the faculty of aerospace engineering.

The test was to determine the best solar panel release mechanism set-up. The solar panel and the release components are mounted at the tube chassis of the satellite. The release mechanism (SPRM) contains two resistors, one (dyneema) wire, two spring mechanisms and two guide blocks. The resistors have to melt the wire, so the solar panel is able to release.

Sample Image

The test setup.

Sample Image

The release mechanism of the solar panels.

Newsflash

Delfi-C3 2 year anniversary

Today exactly 2 years ago Delfi-C3 was launched from India on a PSLV rocket at 3:53 AM UTC. Today we celebrate the fact that Delfi-C3 has been in orbit and fully operational for 2 continuous years or 10.809 orbits around the Earth. We would like to thank all the radio amateurs for their continued support and telemetry submission. Happy Birthday Delfi-C3!!

Delfi-C3 on Klokhuis

Delfi-C3 was featured on an episode of the Dutch children's program called Klokhuis (meaning 'apple core'). For more info and the episode itself please check our photo weblog.

In the meantime Delfi-C3 is approaching it's 1-year anniversary. The spacecraft is still performing well and returning science data through our own groundstation and the invaluable amateur radio data collection network.

Delfi-C3 back in science mode

On January 29th, after having been in orbit for 9 months and 1 day, Delfi-C3 has been put back in science mode. This decision was reached because of problems with the on-board transponder, which unfortunately prohibits proper operation of the transponder.