The Venus Express spacecraft is nearing completion now as the Gallium Arsenide Triple Junction Solar Arrays are integrated and tested, which will provide the required 1100 Watts of power to the spacecraft systems.
The solar cells arrays will typically operate at temperatures in excess of 100 °C.
Both Solar Array Wings have been successfully installed on the spacecraft over the past week - the "+Y-wing" on September 12 and 13, and the "-Y-wing" on September 14 and 15.
Work has also progressed in the preparation of procedures for the final countdown sequence, as well as a full countdown rehearsal with the complete bunker team (the team that will be present during launch, in the underground Baikonur bunker, 150m from the pad).
Copyright 2005 by Space Daily, Distributed United Press International
