Space Rider User Guide
Aggregate Preparation Process
The aggregate preparation is an end-to-end process that will identify and prepare the best configuration of payloads to be flown for a specific SR mission:
Payloads Feasibility Phase
At this phase the Space Rider System Operator collect requests from Customers, via open calls for flight opportunities or direct reception of P/L proposals and evaluate a preliminary compatibility of P/L with SRS. The Customer, with MPCB Operator technical support, will define P/L requirements, check preliminary P/L accommodation, build interface and preliminary contractual documentation. A feasibility study will bring the potential P/Ls to Phase II.
Preliminary Aggregate Definition
All the P/Ls that are part of the feasibility study are required to provide their preliminary data regarding requirements and interfaces and safety aspects. A preliminary P/L accommodation study is then performed by the Aggregate Design Authority (ADA). At the end, with the results of the feasibility and accommodation studies a Preliminary Aggregate Definition is generated, and all the P/Ls selected will be invited to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
Aggregate Definition Confirmation
At this phase all the P/Ls that are part of the preliminary aggregate design are required to provide their updated preliminary data regarding requirements and interfaces, safety aspects and software models. After that Customers are required to demonstrate the P/L maturity at PDR-level with the MPCB Operator to verify the preliminary architectural design and mission concept of operations. In the meantime, the Aggregate Design Authority (ADA) will use the P/Ls provided data to start a Preliminary Mission Analysis (PMA). At the end, with the results of the PMA and the P/Ls PDRs there will be the P/Ls selection for a specific mission and signature of relative Flight Service Agreement.
Final Aggregate Design
At this phase all the P/Ls that are part of the final aggregate design are required to provide their consolidated data regarding requirements and interfaces, safety aspects and analytical models. After that Customers are required to demonstrate the P/L maturity at CDR-level (see 5.5) with the MPCB Operator to verify the final architectural design and mission concept of operations. The Aggregate Design Authority (ADA) will then use the P/Ls provided data to start the Final Mission Analysis (FMA) while the Customers are required to provide P/L’s 3D High Fidelity Mock-Ups for fit checks on FM MPCB and Electrical and Functional Models for tests with the RM ATB. At the end of this process, P/Ls are required to sustain or provide certification of compliance for the Qualification Review (QR) and an update of safety information. At the end, with the results of the FMA and the P/Ls CDRs and QRs there will be the P/Ls confirmation for the specific SR mission.
Final Aggregate AIT
All the P/Ls selected for the flight must provide a P/L Flight Model or at least a Representative Dummy at final P/L integration into RM MPCB at integration site in Europe. Then the RM will be moved to the launch site, at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. After final checks the MPCB door of the SR RM will be closed in preparation for the integration with the AOM module. The SRS is now ready for the Flight Readiness Review (FRR). After this milestone, the SR Vehicle (RM and AOM) and the fairing are being integrated with the VEGA-C launch vehicle. At this point, at the ELV, the late access window for P/Ls integration starts. The two LA compartments are accessed contemporary by two operators, installing the environment sensible P/Ls into their housings. When the late-access procedure is finished, the system can face the last milestone before the lift-off, the Launch Readiness Review (LRR).
Aggregate Flight Operations
This phase nominally begins at launch time, and after the ascent phase and LEOP activities enter the commissioning phase with the initial RM mission attitude and MPCB door aperture. At this point in time begins the P/Ls experiments window with the execution of mission timeline during each 90 minutes orbit at different attitudes. The experiments will undergo for plus than 60 days exchanging of TM&TC from/to VCC and PGCC. After two-months in space the experiments window ends and one day is required to let the avionic and P/Ls cool-down in preparation for the re-entry. The MPCB door will be closed and after the reception of the authorization from Landing Site the SR vehicle will perform a de-orbit burn and the separation of RM (for re-entry) and AOM (for destructive re-entry). The RM will perform the re-entry and descent phase with its sub-sonic parachute followed by the deployment of a guided parafoil to steer the RM vehicle up to its touchdown at Landing Site.
Aggregate Post-flight Operations
At the landing site the SR RM will be cooled-down and powered-down to allow operators access LA compartments to retrieve the environmental sensitive P/Ls. Standard P/Ls are recovered once the RM is moved to the post-landing facility, where the hand-over of P/Ls from MPCB Operator to owners can be performed while the RM is moved to refurbishment phase.
Maiden Flight Payload Aggregate Status
More information to come.