OHB Czechspace is taking on the difficult task of assembling the Comet Interceptor satellite's testing dust shield, which should protect the satellite from dangerous comet dust that could irreversibly damage it.
In order to transport the dust shield to the test facility after assembly, it will be mounted at OHB Czechspace on a test adapter plate, which is made of aluminium alloy with dimensions of approximately 140x140 cm. An aluminium sandwich panel will then be placed on the plate with the demarcation blocks. A support structure will be afterwards attached to the construction together with several layers of different materials forming the dust shield.
"The different layers of the dust shield serve to gradually slow down and trap particles from the comet so that they will not reach the satellite itself. On the same principle is based, for instance, the design of ballistic vests. Even small particles moving at high speeds can cause damage to key components such as antennas or solar panels, sensors and other instruments needed to operate the satellite in space", explained Roman Kaňa, Spacecraft Design team Leader.
Once assembly is completed, the entire structure, weighing more than 180 kg, must be transported to IABG test facilities in Germany for all the necessary testing. This will include an acoustic test to check whether the dust shield is able to withstand acoustic shock waves during the launch of the launch vehicle that will carry the satellite.
The Comet Interceptor mission aims to explore a pristine comet. This type of comet, unaffected by the Sun, could ultimately provide a number of valuable insights into the origins of our Solar System, dating back 4.6 billion years. So far, only short-period comets have been studied, i.e. comets that have an orbital period of less than 200 years and thus repeatedly return to the inner areas of our Solar System. However, each flyby around the Sun has a major impact on the comet's appearance.
Contact:
Lucie Kopecká
HR & Marketing
Tel: +420 777 999 584
E-Mail: pr@ohb-czech.cz
