Orbital Pegasus - Manual (Page 75)

Release 7.0 Apr 2010 64
Pegasus User’s Guide
10.16. Payload Electrical Connector Covers
Authorize by: L-20 months
Orbital can provide flight-proven connector covers
for the payload side of the separation system to
cover the 42-pin interface connectors. The
connector covers are spring loaded and attach to
the standard umbilical support brackets. A bracket
on the launch vehicle side of the separation
system is used to hold the cover open until the two
halves of the separation system are physically
separated. At payload separation, the spring-
loaded aluminum cover snaps closed over the
exposed ends of the electrical connectors.
10.17. Payload Fit Check Support
Authorize by: L-18 months
Pegasus can provide flight and non-flight
hardware and test support personnel to the
payload contractor site for a fit check. Support
hardware and technical and engineering support
will be sent to the payload contractor’s designated
site to support a fairing fit check with the
appropriate hardware.
10.18. Payload Propellant Loading
Authorize by: L-18 months
Orbital can provide for full hydrazine or bi-
propellant loading services. This service can be
performed in the Pegasus VAB at Vandenberg
AFB, California.
10.19. Pegasus Separation System Test Unit
Authorize by: L-18 months
Orbital can provide a Pegasus Separation System
Test Unit (PSSTU) and Avionics Structure to the
payload contractor. The PSSTU is a non-flight
separation system that is provided to payload
contractors to perform pyroshock characterization
testing. The pyroshock test plan should be submitted to Orbital 30 days prior to testing for
Orbital concurrence on the use of the PSSTU and
Avionics Structure. The PSSTU and Avionics
Structure will be delivered to the spacecraft
contractor 2 weeks prior to the required need date
for pyroshock testing and returned to Orbital no
later than 2 working days after the conclusion of
pyroshock testing. Orbital will review and check
the test setup prior to firing the bolt cutters for
pyroshock testing. Orbital must witness the test.
10.20. Round-the-Clock Payload Support
Authorize by: L-6 months
Pegasus supports a nominal 8 hours per day, 5
days per week work schedule prior to payload
fairing mate. During certain launch vehicle
operations, hours will be briefly exceeded. Facility
safety requirements dictate that Orbital employees
must be present during payload processing. As a
nonstandard service, payload support
requirements prior to payload fairing mate outside
these hours can be satisfied.
10.21. Stage 2 Onboard Camera
Authorize by: L-20 months
Pegasus can fly a real-time second stage video
system. This self-contained system has a
dedicated battery, RF signal transmission system,
and two cameras for forward and aft views of the
rocket. The cameras switch views as commanded
by the flight computer to capture critical staging
events and fairing separation. It can also be
switched from the LPO control station while in
captive carry.
10.22. Thermal Coated Forward Separation
Ring
Authorize by: L-12 months
Prior to separation system assembly, Orbital can
provide the customer a forward payload
separation system ring for application of thermal