Solar Cells Inspected on NASA’s NEO Surveyor

NEO Surveyor Mission and Multi-Institutional Collaboration

Hardware integration for NASA's Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission, designed to detect near-Earth objects, continues at a steady pace. A technician at BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems in Boulder, Colorado, performed a detailed inspection of the solar cells mounted on the spacecraft's large sunshade. This critical component stands out as a collaborative product from specialized aerospace entities across the US.

Manufacturing and Integration Process of the Solar Cells

The sunshade structure itself was manufactured by Applied Aerospace in Stockton, California. The installation of solar cells onto the structure, which will generate electrical power, was completed in January by SolAero Technologies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Following manufacturing and installation, inspections in late July verified the solar cells' readiness for environmental testing and launch stresses.

Spacecraft Power Supply and Future Planetary Defense

The solar cells integrated into the sunshade will generate the power required by the spacecraft throughout its operational lifetime. As NEO Surveyor searches for asteroids and comets that could pose a threat to Earth, the sunshade will simultaneously produce energy and protect its sensitive infrared sensors from solar heat. This successful inspection marks an important milestone toward final system integration and mission readiness.