Custom springs can be found in and used for a variety of applications but many people are unaware of the role springs play in exploring the final frontier, Space. For centuries, man has been eluded by the sky above him but a few short decades ago, NASA sent the first man to the moon and the last frontier of man was opened up for exploration. Now nearly 45 years later, we are still exploring space with missions to our solar system planets and custom spring are just one of the tools that make the investigation of planets like Jupiter possible.
Exploring Jupiter
On August 5th in 2011, NASA launched the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, a rocket to blast Juno, solar-powered spacecraft in NASA’s New Frontiers Program, into orbit. Since its launch almost 2 years ago, the Juno Mission craft has traveled approximately 92 million miles away from Earth. Equipped with a one-way radio signal, Juno moves at roughly 12.6 to 13.9 miles per second and should reach its Jupiter destination in 2016.
When Juno reaches Jupiter, several probes and instruments will attempt to learn about the planet’s structure and core as Juno orbits 33 times. The one-way radio signal will send any information learned back to the teams as NASA and we will hopefully have a better understanding of the largest planet in the Milky Way solar system.
The Juno Mission’s Springs
While Juno should provide the NASA New Frontiers Program with valuable information, it is important to understand that none of it would be possible without the creation and use of custom springs. Juno has over 60 different springs that are used in three important ways.
- The first is to open the doors to the spacecraft’s solar panels, ensuring the ship is provided with power to reach Jupiter as well as transmit information.
- The second is to guarantee the spacecraft door remains latched during the craft’s extended flight.
- And the last way the springs are used is to deploy the obit arms when Juno reaches the planet to begin measuring Jupiter’s structure.
These 60 springs can mean the difference between a completed mission, valuable information and the further exploration of the Milky Way’s outer planets.
Custom Springs Are Universal
Springs are utilized for a variety of uses across the globe but it is interesting to think that these springs are soaring across the universe, helping educate the people of the world about our unique solar system. For centuries, man has been eluded by the sky above him but now custom springs like the 60 found on the Juno Mission make the investigation of planets like Jupiter possible.
You can find more information about Juno by visiting NASA’s site.
