ESA Science & Technology - LISA Pathfinder solar array

This artist's impression shows a view, from above the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft, of the solar array that sits atop the science module.

The science module contains the mission payload and all the systems needed to support the operation and performance of the mission's scientific experiments. The solar array provides the spacecraft's instruments with power from sunlight, and acts as a thermal shield for the sensitive payload. The three Sun sensors work together to ensure that the array is constantly facing the Sun.

Note: a version of this image with a transparent background and a clean cut out of the spacecraft is available in two sizes: 2048×2048 [png, 4.3 MB] and 4096×4096 [png, 15.4 MB].