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TOPEX/Poseidon: Perspectives on an Ocean Planet

- Signal Conditioning and Control Unit

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sccu

The Signal Conditioning and Control Unit (SC&C) contains heater control and pyrotechnics activation circuitry. Heater control maintains the inside of the spacecraft at a desired temperature range so that spacecraft equipment may function properly.

Pyrotechnic devices were used in different places around the spacecraft to fasten components which were separated later in the mission. The solar panels, for example, were fastened with pyrotechnic bolts to the side of the spacecraft during launch. As one of the first steps after launch, the SC&C Unit blew the bolts apart, releasing the solar panels so that they deployed automatically.