Orion ESM Solar Array Deployment Test

Airbus Defence and Space has developed and delivered the qualification model of the solar array for the European Service Module (ESM) of the Orion crewed spacecraft. During a deployment test today at NASA's Plum Brook Station facility in Sandusky, Ohio (USA), the model came through the test with flying colours.

The tested solar array involves one qualification wing, consisting of a yoke and three panels, and three dummy wings.