The solar batteries that will provide electricity to the Orion spacecraft have been tested at the ESA test center (the Netherlands). Technicians had to make sure that they could withstand the harsh conditions of a trip around the moon.
The wings are located on a shaking table, vibrating at full power of a roaring rocket. Also nearby were placed huge loudspeakers that recreate the atmosphere during the launch period.
The wings will be checked for deployment before being sent to Bremen (Germany) for integration with the European service module. Orion’s first mission around the moon will pass without astronauts and is scheduled for 2019. Solar panels will be installed inside the rocket fairing. After launch, they will turn around and turn to the Sun to begin the flow of energy.
