• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.251-269
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• 2020

Euclid is an optical/near-infrared survey mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate the nature of dark energy, dark matter and gravity by observing the geometry of the Universe and the formation of structures over cosmological timescales. The Euclid spacecraft mechanical architecture comprises the Payload Module (PLM) and the Service Module (SVM) connected by an interface structure designed to maximize thermal and mechanical decoupling. This paper shortly illustrates the mechanical system of the spacecraft and the mechanical verification philosophy which is based on the Structural and Thermal Model (STM), built at flight standard for structure and thermal qualification and the Proto Flight Model (PFM), used to complete the qualification programme. It will be submitted to a proto-flight test approach and it will be suitable for launch and flight operations. Within the overall verification approach crucial mechanical tests have been successfully performed (2018) on the SVM platform and on the sunshield (SSH) subsystem: the SVM platform static test, the SSH structure modal survey test and the SSH sine vibration qualification test. The paper reports the objectives and the main results of these tests.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.427-442
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• 2019

Small satellites represent an emerging opportunity to realize a wide range of space missions at lower cost and faster delivery, compared to traditional spacecraft. However, small platforms, such as CubeSats, shall increase their actual capabilities. Miniaturized electric propulsion systems can provide the satellite with the key capability of moving in space. The level of readiness of miniaturized electric propulsion systems is low although many concepts have been developed. The present research intends to build a flexible test platform for the assessment of selected small propulsion systems in relevant environment at laboratory level. Main goal of the research is to analyze the mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and chemical interactions of propulsion systems with the modern CubeSat-technology and to assess the performance of the integrated platform. The test platform is a 6U CubeSat hosting electric propulsion systems, providing mechanical, electrical and data interfaces, able to handle a variety of electric propulsion systems, thanks to the ability to regulate and distribute electric power, to exchange data according to several protocols, and to provide different mechanical layouts. The test platform is ready to start the first verification campaign. The paper describes the detailed design of the platform and the main results of the AIV activities.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.645-652
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• 2020

GK2A(GEO-KOMPSAT-2A)satellite has been operating excellently since its launch in Dec 2018. The secondary payload called KSEM (Korean Space Environment Monitor) was equipped into the GK2A satellite along with AMI (Advanced Meteorological Imager) sensor. KSEM is the Korea's first operational geostationary space weather sensor and has been developed collaboratively by KHU (Kyung Hee University) and KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute). The interface works between KSEM and GK2A were conducted by KARI. Various interface tests, which aim for evaluating effective functionality of KSEM with the spacecraft, were intensively conducted at KARI facilities. Main tests consisted of mechanical and electrical check-up activities between the KSEM and GK2A. Interface tests of KSEM, which involve pre-launch tests such as ETB and GK2A system level tests, were conducted to evaluate functional and performance of KSEM before the launch. The tests carried out during the GK2A LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) and IOT (In Orbit Test) period (Dec 2018 ~ June 2019) showed excellent in-orbit performance of KSEM data.