Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Centre (AITC)
1.1.Introduction on Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Facility (AIT)
In any spacecraft development, be it a manned or unmanned mission, for scientific research or as a space transportation, a spacecraft with its payload must be able to withstand the rigors of the lift-off and ascent environment occur during the launch phase, and, the extreme thermal conditions and operational environment experienced by the spacecraft and its payload once it is in orbit. This include the effects of intense acoustic and vibration generated by engine ignitions during lift-off, shocks generated during separation of stages and fairing, shocks during deployment of solar panels, temperature variation between extreme hot temperature to extreme cold temperature, vacuum condition, solar radiation and many other effects experienced by the spacecraft. Both mechanical and thermal effects introduced a lot of constraints on the structure design of a spacecraft and therefore, it must be thoroughly tested up to the system components to ensure the survivability of the spacecraft and its payload in space. And the testing conditions on Earth should simulate as close to as what will be experience by the spacecraft and its payload upon lift-off and while in space.
The Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Centre (AITC) completed in 2011, is a facility that will provide those testing conditions as what will be experience by the spacecraft and its payload. The cost of a building a spacecraft is never cheap, thus, making it even more important to have it thoroughly tested on ground to ensure survivability of the spacecraft exceeds what it has been design for. Therefore, the AITC facility is constructed to accommodate the testing requirements of both ground-based instruments and fully qualified space-flight hardware.
Environmental Conditions of the Facility:
Temperature : 22 ± 3°C
Humidity : 55 ± 10% RH
Particle (<0.5 µm) : 100,000 unit / ft3
Ground Connection : < 1.0 Ω
√ Device under test (DUT) Receiving Airlock
√ Spacious high bay for integration works
√ Mechanical ground support equipment such crane, forklift, etc., are available
1.2.Main function of Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Facility (AIT)
The AIT Facility is a cleanroom of class ISO 8 (or class 100,000 according to Federal Standard 209E) with a controlled environment and equipped with a large integration hall and variety of mechanical ground support equipment. The facility is able to simulate the actual launch and space environment as experienced by a satellite and its components during lift-off, separation and in orbit as well as able to be used to conduct testing and measurement for other field such as electronics, automotive, etc. The facility is able to provide a wide spectrum of test services, all under one roof, as well as providing managerial and technical competences needed to operate the environmental test facility.
1.3 Testing and Measurement Services offered at this facility
a)Vibration Test
Vibration Test is a test to simulate the vibration induced by rocket or spaceship to ensure that the satellite can withstand the maximum expected flight environment. It can also be used to conduct vibration tests for other non-space product.
Main Specification |
Model V994 |
Model V9 |
Max Sine Thrust |
289 kN |
105 kN |
Max Random Thrust |
267 kN |
105 kN |
Max Velocity |
2.0 m/s |
3.0 m/s |
Useful Frequency |
5 -1700 Hz |
5 – 2700 Hz |
Max Load (10g Vector) |
2693 kg |
1070 kg |
b) Reverberation Acoustic Test
Reverberation acoustic simulates vibration caused by the sound coming from the exhaust of the flight or rocket. This test facility simulates high intensity acoustic noise environment experience by satellite or spacecraft structures and components during launch.
Reverberation Acoustic Test Main Specification |
|
Chamber volume |
︡= 999.5 m3 |
Overall Sound Pressure Level (OSPL) |
155 dB |
Frequency Range |
20 – 10,000 Hz |
Sound Generation System |
Gaseous Nitrogen (GN2) |
c)Thermal Vacuum Test
Thermal vacuum test is a test that simulates extreme temperature and condition in space to ensure the satellite is able to operate within the range of temperature and vacuum condition in space.
Thermal Vacuum Test Main Specification |
|
Operational Volume |
3.7 m (ɸ) |
Ultimate Pressure |
10-7 mbar |
Temperature Range |
-180°C – 150°C |
d)Electromagnetic Compatibility Test
Electromagnetic compatibility test is a test to ensure that there is no component or subsystem in the satellite that will emit interference with the operation of other components or subsystems through emission or susceptibility.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Test Main Specification |
|
Operational Area |
5m Compliance Full Anechoic Chamber |
Temperature Range |
20 Hz – 40 GHz |
e)Mass Properties Measurement
Mass properties measurement is performed on a satellite to measure and determine the exact physical properties of a satellite, its subsystems and components to ensure the navigation and control of satellite is as per designed.
Mass Properties Measurement Main Specification |
|
Max Test Weight: - Static - Dynamic |
1300 kg 1000 kg |
Max Moment of Inertia |
1463 kgm2 |
Range of Spin Speed |
30 – 300 rpm |
Min Achievable Readout at 100 rpm |
44 kgmm2 |
f)Alignment Measurement
Alignment measurement is performed to measure the exact geometrical alignment of the components on the satellite.
Alignment Measurement Main Specification |
|
Theodolite System Accuracy |
0.5 arcsecond |
Rotary Table: - Indexing Accuracy - Repeatability |
± 5 arcsecond ± 1 arcsecond |