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Two non-gimbaled solar arrays are deployed immediately after launch. They provide 6.6 square meters (71 sq. ft.) of solar energy to power the Stardust spacecraft, even when it is nearly three times farther from the sun than is the Earth. One nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) 16 amp-hour battery using common pressure vessel (CPV) cell pairs provides power during eclipses and for peak power operations. The electrical power control electronics are derived primarily from the Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (SSTI) spacecraft development.
Thermal Control
- Passive: Louvers, MLI, Paints, Dedicated Radiators
- Thermostatically and Computer Controlled Heaters
The thermal control subsystem uses passive methods and louvers to control the temperature of the batteries and the solid state power amplifiers. Passive coatings as well as multi-layer insulation blankets are used to control other temperatures. Where needed, radiators are used to take the excess heat out of the spacecraft components to keep them at their proper operating temperature.
Structure
- Composite structure, using Facesheets over Honeycomb
The Stardust spacecraft structure is in the form of a rectangular box, with approximate dimensions of 1.6 meters long by a square cross-section of 0.66 meters on each side. Panels use graphite fibers with polycyanate as facesheets and aluminum honeycomb as the core.
Redundancy
- Software Fault Protection
- Critical Items Cross-Strapped
Virtually all spacecraft subsystem components are redundant with critical items cross-strapped. The battery includes an extra pair of cells. A software fault protection system is used to protect the spacecraft from reasonable, credible faults but also has resiliency built into it so many faults not anticipated can be accommodated without taking the spacecraft down.
Whipple Shield
- Multiple Separated Layers
- Bumper and Catcher Shields
- Nextel Blankets
The Whipple shield shadows the spacecraft to protect it during the high speed encounter with particles in the cometary coma. Bumper shields are composite panels which disrupt particles as they impact. Nextel blankets of ceramic cloth further dissipate and spread the particle debris. Three blankets are used in the main body shield, and two are used in the solar array shields. The composite Catcher absorbs all of the debris for primary particles up to 1 cm in diameter for the shield protecting the spacecraft main body.
