OREANDA-NEWS. May 31, 2012. Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems is currently conducting thermal vacuum testing on the data relay satellite Loutch-5B.

Verification procedures are carried out in a cryogenic vacuum chamber. The facility is used to simulate real space environment, including vacuum, and thermal extremes. During the test, ISS-Reshetnev team is to verify the spacecraft instruments’ proper operation in extreme cold and extreme heat, during sunlit and eclipse orbit periods.

As of today, the Loutch-5B spacecraft has successfully passed thermal balance tests which included it being subjected to thermal conditions of orbit injection phase, autonomous Sun-pointing, maximum and minimum thermal loads.

Loutch-5B is being built under the Federal space program for years 2006-2015. The satellite is designed to provide data communication links between the ground and low-orbiting spacecraft, as well as to relay signals from the GLONASS System of Differential Correction and Monitoring.