PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The primary goal of the programme has been to design, develop and qualify differentiating technologies, equipments and payload architectures which enabled a new generation of high capacity flexible payload. Differentiation would be provided in two forms which are inherent in the title of the programme;
- Genericity is an industrial benefit gained through standardising the design and construction of both the payload and the equipments leading to faster delivery schedules and (if the flexibility level is correct) lower costs.
- Flexibility is an operational benefit designed to increase the value proposition of the payload (or equipments) to the operator whereby higher through life revenue can be generated by the spacecraft due to its ability to be re-configured in orbit as operational demands require.
Challenges
To support the demanding specification of those novel equipments, a number of new parts, technologies and processes had to be introduced. This involved the development of new MMIC, high density microwave ceramic packages, new mounting techniques. This led to a large volume of parts, materials and processes qualifications.
Plan
The programme was implemented in three phases.
- Phase 1.2a – Development, build and qualification of an Agile Integrated Downconverter Assembly (AIDA), a Routing and Switching Equipment (RASE), a Single Channel Agile Converter Equipment (SCACE) and a Master Reference Oscillator (MRO) to support the newly developed concept of Generic Flexible Payload. All those equipments were qualified to EQM level.
- Phase 1.2b – Study programme to evaluate the achievements of phase 1.2a and make recommendations as to the enhancement of these developments in the following phase 1.2c programme.
- Phase 1.2c – Development, build and qualification of a FSS fixed receiver and a FSS Agile Converter. Those equipments were qualified to EQM level. This phase also included the development of a 24/17GHz downconverter hybrid to Engineering Model level.
Current Status
The Generic Flexible Payload programme is now complete. All equipments designed, developed and build under the programme have completed qualification, with a first application successfully achieved on flight programmes.
The next steps for Astrium’s payload and equipment team in the area of flexible payloads include;
- Further development of flexible output section technologies including flexible MPM, phase combined tubes, multi-port amplifiers, frequency tuneable OMUX and flexible antennas
- Further development and support to the equipment team to optimise the flexible input section equipment’s including extension of the AGILE converter capability to include non-integer N frequency generation, and the development of a second generation SCACE V2. Considerable work will be completed to understand the design drivers for these equipment’s in both channelized and multi-beam applications.
- Managing the ramp-up of the standard equipment product line based upon the new generation receiver, beacons and agile converters.
- Consideration of the road map and development steps for processed payloads with a particular view on how toimplement a truly generic and flexible pre and post processor taking benefit from the achievements of the GFP programme.
Companies
Airbus Defence and Space
United Kingdom