Core Satellite Undergoes Centrifuge Testing

Engineers at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center announce that the Core satellite has begun its centrifuge tests. The assessments are meant to determine if the spacecraft is capable of withstanding the conditions it will experience during launch and mission time.

Core is part of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission NASA is developing to augment US capabilities in this field. It is currently scheduled to launch in 2014, and its main mission will be to analyze precipitation amounts and patterns around the world.

Currently, the satellite bus is placed inside High Capacity Centrifuge (HCC) at Goddard. Experts operating this installation will eventually crank up speed to as many as 15 rotations per minute. This particular spacecraft is very heavy, weighing about 8,000 pounds (3,628 kilograms).