Speakers
Description
In the course of the e.Deorbit Consolidation Phase study led by Airbus Defence & Space, SENER is responsible for the development of the clamping mechanism aimed to clamp and lock on the launch adapter ring of ENVISAT – the inactive ESA satellite. Afterwards, the mechanism has to sustain the main loads induced during the de-orbit phase.
One of the main goals of this phase was to select and improve the final design of the clamping mechanism based on the two concepts analysed in the previous stages.
In general, the mechanism consists of the following sub-assemblies:
- Clamps with fixing (and preloading) mechanism
- Alignment mechanism
- Sensors
The current e.Deorbit concept is represented by the rotary clamps – their main function is to hold on the Launch Adapter Ring (LAR) of ENVISAT. In addition, the alignment mechanism provides capability of changing angular position of the clamping mechanism in order to point Space Tug’s thrust vector onto ENVISAT’s CoG prior disposal phase performance. The main design drivers include: loads transfer capability, stiffness, interface and its condition, redundancy, sensors and control system.
