The NEAR Spacecraft
Characteristics:
Mass: 805 kg (includes propellant) Basic Design: Three-axis stabilized; Fixed solar panels
Fixed 1.5-m high-gain antenna; Fixed instruments
Passive thermal design;
Redundant critical subsystemsPower: Solar powered 1800 W @ 1 AU Telemetry: X-band link to NASA Deep Space Network Size: 1.7 square-meters at the base Data Rate: Selectable between 9 bits/s and 26.8 Kbits/s Memory Capacity: 1.7-Gb solid-state Propulsion: (1) 100-lb thruster, (4) 5-lb thrusters,
(7) 1-lb thrusters; total Delta V of 1450 m/sMission Control Center: Applied Physics Laboratory Navigation Support: Jet Propulsion Laboratory Subsystems:
Flight software Mechanical Structure Thermal Command & Data Handling Telecommunications Propulsion Power Guidance & Control Electromagnetic Compatibility Test Equipment Spacecraft Images
On large shaker
(40,000 lb-F)
preparing for
system vibration
testLaunch
17 Feb 96In Delta fairing
prior to launchAfter launch;
artist's conceptionMore Resources: