The LEND instrument engineering unit is in the Flatsat lab undergoing interface testing. The Flatsat lab contains engineering unit versions of the spacecraft electronics. We use this test bed to verify software performance, check out test procedures, test out operations procedures, and verify interfaces.

The successful interface test with the LEND engineering unit yesterday allowed us to try out all of our functional tests of LEND, so we will be ready to run when the flight unit arrives next month.

Todd Bentley prepares to mount one of the LRO flight reaction wheels to the cold plate in preparation for the thermal vacuum test. The wheels are now in the vacuum chamber undergoing temperature cycling. This test demonstrates that the electronics and mechanisms will perform properly in the vacuum of space over the mission's temperature extremes. Four of these reaction wheels will control the pointing of the Orbiter throughout the mission.