Search Results

Four different thermal-vacuum tests were performed on AMICA Star Tracker (AST) in the period March-July 2006 in the space simulator of the SERMS laboratory in Terni-Italy. Each of these tests was designed to verify different AST camera design features. The Thermal Balance test was conceived to validate the thermo-elastic model of the instrument and the active and passive thermal control subsystems. The Thermal Vacuum Cycling test was conceived to validate the AST electronics operative and survival temperature limits under vacuum conditions. The worst hot and cold operative and survival limits of the lens and filters in the AST optical system were assessed by means of the “Sun in the lens” and Lens Cold tests.

The ASI (Italian Space Agency) AGILE satellite has been launched on April, 23rd 2007 by a PSLV rocket from Shrikariota spaceport, in India. Its payload, called AGILE as well (for Astro-rivelatore Gamma a Immagini LEggero) is an instrument for near-earth space research: its scientific instrumentation has optimal imaging capabilities in both the gamma-ray energy range (30 MeV - 30 GeV) and hard X-ray range (15 - 45 keV). It will study all the phenomena occurring in the high energy spectrum, such as: Active Galactic Nuclei, Gamma Ray Bursts, Gamma-ray Galactic Diffuse Emission, and more. The first 10 months in orbit are reviewed, in light of the thermal control system performance compared with the numerical and experimental predictions.