NASA and ATK have completed the first flight control test (FCT-1) of rocket booster avionics as part of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) booster programme at ATK’s Utah, US test facility.
ATK Next-Generation Booster vice president, Fred Brasfield, said: "This successful test of the Flight Control System is a big step forward for NASA’s Space Launch System, an advanced heavy-lift launch vehicle that will provide an entirely new national capability for human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit."
"The results not only validate the system, but also our streamlining efforts to produce a product that is robust, sustainable and affordable," Brasfield added.
The avionics subsystem, which comprises of electrical components for the SLS’ solid rocket boosters, is responsible for booster ignition, nozzle steering and booster separation.
Focused on the avionics subsystem’s ability to start-up, monitor, steer and shut down an SLS booster nozzle thrust vector control (TVC) system, the test also demonstrated the interfacing of the new avionics subsystem with and control of the earlier deployed TVC system by carrying out an SLS launch simulation.
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By GlobalDataThe partners also tested new electronic ground support equipment, which supervised and harmonised activities between the test facilities, avionics subsystem, and TVC system.
ATK said that the test, the first in a series, was conducted to lower risk and authenticate the avionics subsystem design.
The booster avionics design incorporates a common, ruggedised chassis design, 14 common programmable circuit cards and standardised cable designs.
NASA is planning two additional tests for the avionics and controls system while the first qualification test of the five-segment motor is scheduled for spring next year.
The SLS is anticipated to offer a new heavy-lift launch capability for human exploration further than the Earth’s orbit and to carry crew and cargo further into space than previously achieved.
Image: The flight control test marks the first time interfacing of a new avionics subsystem and controlled thrust vector control (TVC) system. Photo: ATK
