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SELENE Thermal Vacuum Test by Thermal Model
ISAS, Japan
January 24, 2003

Aiming to launch in the summer of 2005, scientists began designing the 
flight model and manufacturing some parts for the selenological and 
engineering explorer, SELENE. The structure model of the explorer 
completed mechanical environment tests in spring 2002, and the thermal 
vacuum test using the thermal model was conducted for 2 weeks from
October 23, 2002 in the General Environment Test Building of Tsukuba 
Space Center.

For this testing, not only the model of the explorer's main unit but 
also 15 kinds of the instrument models developed by the instrument 
team were loaded.

The right picture shows the thermal model waiting to be delivered to a 
large-scale chamber (diameter of 13m). Comprised of three 
satellites,SELENE is the largest explorer to be sent to the Moon by 
mankind after the Apollo project. Its large scale can be well 
understood when compared with the men shown in the picture. SELENE 
conducts three axes attitude control keep its onboard instruments 
facing the Moon.

To simulate the thermal conditions in this testing, IR panels that 
simulate infrared radiation from the Moon were installed on the side 
of onboard instruments and a solar simulator on the opposite side.  
The test verified the thermal mathematical model and confirmed the 
performance of thermal control system. The SELENE mission plan that 
started as a joint project with National Space Development Agency in 
1996 seems to have come close to its climax. Its next big step is the 
coupling tests scheduled in May 2003.

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