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Objectives
The objective of the project was to upgrade to space level requirements an existing commercial pressure transducer design providing a desired accuracy below 0.05%FS and to qualify it for space usage.
In order not to degrade the performances through a poor resolution in the data handling system for telemetry a digital interface was required.
To be competitive on the international space market, the pressure transducer should have low power consumption, low weight, small size and low cost.
Challenges
Main challenge of the project was to upgrade a commercial pressure transducer for space applications, thereby improving the measurement technology to comply with the stringent accuracy requirements.
Plan
During the programme, a Development Model (DM) was manufacturing and tested, followed by the manufacturing and qualification testing of a Qualification Model (QM). The qualification tests have taken into account typical telecommunications satellites requirements and encompassed a propellant compatibility test to verify compatibility of the design with satellite propellants.
Current Status
Under the contract, qualification has been successfully closed and all objectives of the development program have been met. The design can be directly implemented as is for use on geostationary telecommunication satellites and pressure gauging applications in general.
From the High Accuracy Pressure Transducer (HAPT) design, a cost attractive Standard Accuracy Pressure Transducer (SAPT) has been derived, which uses simplified (analogue) electronics and has a demonstrated accuracy of £ ±0.1% Full Scale pressure output.
Heritage of the Bradford PT design is in the meantime available for multiple space programs.