Raytheon Completes Second Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, Readies for Testing Cycle

Raytheon technicians prepare the integrated VIIRS JPSS 1 sensor for ambient testing. Photo: Raytheon

[Via Satellite 12-12-13] Raytheon has manufactured and integrated all required subassemblies in completion of a major milestone for its second Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which will fly on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System 1 spacecraft, scheduled to launch in 2017. The integrated sensor is now entering testing, on track for delivery in 2015.

The testing cycle will include two phases. Ambient testing, which began in November, will confirm system-wide mechanical functioning, proper optical measurement of external phenomena and the ability of the electronics module to command the sensor via flight software in a lab at room temperature. Next the sensor will be placed into environmental testing, which simulates conditions during launch and in space, and is the final evaluation before being cleared for customer delivery.