NASA’s Lucy Mission Extends its Solar Arrays

The NASA Lucy mission recently conducted a critical test in the thermal vacuum chamber at Lockheed Martin Space, situated in Littleton, Colorado. This pivotal test focused on deploying the mission's massive solar arrays, each boasting an impressive diameter of nearly 24 feet (7.3 meters). These colossal solar arrays will serve as Lucy's energy source throughout its ambitious 12-year expedition, navigating the challenging terrain of the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. Notably, this solar-powered mission is set to establish a new record by venturing an astounding 530 million miles (853 million kilometers) away from the Sun. These expansive solar panels are designed to efficiently capture and harness the vital sunlight required to propel the spacecraft as it voyages through the vastness of deep space.