Future Landsat Spacecraft Begins Environmental Testing

Officials at the American space agency announce that the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) satellite has currently began its environment testing. The assessments are being conducted at a test facility that manufacturer Orbital Science Corporation (OSC) operates in Gilbert, Arizona.

Engineers say that the Observatory Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing represents a critical milestone in putting together the eighth satellite in the Landsat constellation. At this point, only Landsat 5 and 7 are operational, both with significant issues.

NASA says that the EMI/EMC tests are meant to determine whether or not all components on LDCM, including the instruments, the solar panels, the spacecraft bus and communications relays, can work in tune with each other, in conditions identical to what the satellite will encounter in orbit.

Next month, the vehicle will be subject to a series of mechanical and vibrations tests, meant to see if it can withstand the stress of launching to space.