JUICE probe PCB looks oldskool due to design for Jupiter's hostile magnetosphere - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: I wanted a rude username
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2023, 03:54:05 pm
content: Yesterday the ESA launchedJUICE, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer."JUICE will study the subsurface oceans of the icy moons and the interaction of Jovian magnetic field with the magnetic field of Ganymede using a sensitive magnetometer." Pictured is the optical magnetometer and its associated module, designed to survivethe notoriously hostile Jovian magnetosphere. Note additional grounding wires, and also extensive use of epoxy for vibration-resistance.

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2023, 04:44:28 pm
content: Interesting, especially the wire ties mounted on the SMA-F jacks. Never seen that done before.It doesn't look all that vibration-resistant to me, with those enameled copper wires flying around. I assume the whole thing gets potted?Edit: that's a really interesting Vectron part at upper left. (Higher-res photohere.) Wonder what that is. Some sort of OCXO presumably, but I've never seen that form factor anywhere else.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 02:20:04 am
content: that looks like my kind of style

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 10:51:45 am
content: Quote from: KE5FX on April 15, 2023, 04:44:28 pmThat is anti-vibration mounted space cased OCXO... Military and aerospace grade, not really "all over the Internet stuff". The kind where you need to be authorized to receive datasheet.. Really neat and compact though...

author: redkitedesign
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 11:46:27 am
content: Funny part is, the vibration happens only during launch.Now that the probe is in space, it has to endure less vibration than you'll get on the concrete table in the basement of the optics lab.Don't think its potted though. Only adds weight, and there is very little dust and water trying to get in.Also, potting can interfere with outgassing in the vacuum of space. You can try to outgas it before, but 10 years in space is a long time to emulate on earth.I think the enamel wire is strong enough to stay connected during launch, and any movement during launch doesn't really affect the measurements they will be doing round Jupiter.It's definitely tested though!

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 02:07:37 pm
content: I wonder why they chose to mount a couple of the TO cans upside-down (top, and left side, under green coax).

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 02:09:42 pm
content: My guess would be due to number of legs to support the package, 3 was considered not enough.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 02:28:39 pm
content: The JUICE camera electronics look like very expensive jewellery, gold everywhere!https://www.raumfahrer.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/JANUSDPMIDA.jpgGold box marked "3D" is curious.source:https://www.raumfahrer.net/jupitermond-mission-auf-ozeansuche-mit-technologie-aus-braunschweig/

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2023, 05:46:10 pm
content: Quote from: HwAoRrDk on April 16, 2023, 02:07:37 pmHeat-sinking may be a reason for that.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2023, 10:05:31 pm
content: Some aliens will probably scrap it for the Gold.