EAL propulsion teams carry out testing, fuelling and pressurisation operations for satellite test and launch campaigns at launch sites all over the world.
We provide both test and fuelling services at the launch site. We arrive, set up our equipment and perform the final checks on the spacecraft propulsion system prior to fuelling operations. This involves:
The pressurisation of the spacecraft propulsion system to Maximum Expected Operating Pressure (MEOP), with helium and conducting external leak checks on all of the fill and drain valves and test ports (the coupling points to the spacecraft propulsion system – also known as flight halves, since the other side of the couple, our connector, is called the ground half coupling), thrusters, welds etc.
Internal leakage checks are made across non-return valves, latch valves and thruster flow control valves if required.
The spacecraft is then depressurised to a nominal blanket pressure prior to loading operations. Fuelling takes place in a dedicated hazardous process area, with the building clear of all other personnel. We fuel the spacecraft to the required level using high precision weighing equipment, then pressurise the system to flight pressure before disconnection, capping of the flight halves and wire locking for launch. We have redesigned the fuelling and pressurisation panels from the old, cumbersome type to sleek, small and easily transportable designs.
On our fuel transfer panel or fuel loading equipment, we can demount the liquid feed line completely from the panel with only two disconnects, allowing us to decontaminate and refurbish the panel at launch site ready to go literally within a few hours of the end of loading operations. This saves an enormous amount of time at the launch site and means that we run more smoothly, efficiently and cheaply than anyone else.
We have designed ground support equipment that will allow us to fuel and pressurise multiple spacecraft simultaneously – something we did for the Formosat-7 launch campaign. A typical launch campaign timeline for a singular monopropellant spacecraft is shown below:
DAY
ACTIVITY
SUPPORT REQUIRED
1
Fly to CSG
2
Security Processing of Team at CSG and Location of Equipment. Start unpacking and setup of GSE
CSG Security support for badging of personnel and movement of equipment
3
Start Set up and check out of FGSE
Supply of required test gases and gas adapter interfaces by CSG if required.
4
Continue set up and check out of FGSE. SCAPE training
Access to fuel storage area required. SCAPE fitting / training provided CSG
5
TRR for spacecraft pressure testing and movement of propellant tanks to loading area
CSG to support with moving of propellant tanks.
6
Spacecraft pressure and leak checks
Gases provided by CSG. Safety controlled by CSG (restricted access during pressurisation etc). Customer to monitor spacecraft as required.
7
Spacecraft pressure and leak checks
As above.
8
Contingency day for spacecraft leakage/pressure checks. TRB for MEOP testing.
As above.
9
Rest Day
10
Finalisation of FGSE setup including connection to Transfer Tank and spacecraft. TRR for fuelling activities.
CSG safety to support TRR meeting.
11
Fuelling Day. Includes the fuelling and pressurisation of spacecraft and set-down of FGSE ready for decontamination. Finalisation of spacecraft wirelocking.
CSG safety to support fuelling activities.
12
Fuelling contingency day. Start of decontamination activities and fuelling TRB.
Customer/EAL/CSG present at TRB. CSG safety supporting decontamination.
13/14
Rest Day
15
Continue decontamination activites.
CSG safety supporting decontamination.
16
Continue decontamination activites.
As above.
17
Complete Decontamination. Start packing of FGSE.
CSG arranging transportation of FGSE to storage for next campaign.
