GPS World, January 2014
THE SYSTEM Galileo FOC Satellites Endure Simulated Space Tests The European Space Agencys newest Galileo satellite has emerged from five weeks of simulated space conditions On November 29 a hatch slid open to end its thermal vacuum test a milestone on the way to orbit The satellite was placed in the 45 meter diameter Phenix chamber in ESAs ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk the Netherlands in late October Once inside the air was pumped out to create a space quality vacuum Temperature extremes were also reproduced with the six copper walls of the thermal tent cooled by liquid nitrogen down to 180 C A second Galileo vehicle has been undergoing the same rigors at the site along with a vibration and shock test to reproduce separation from the launcher Thermal vacuum testing on the second model will begin in early 2014 The two satellites will be launched on a Soyuz rocket from Europes Spaceport in French Guiana in mid 2014 The next satellite is expected to arrive at ESTEC in March with further satellites following every seven weeks or so A total of 22 FOC satellites are being built by OHB in Germany with navigation payloads being delivered from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd in the UK GPS World January 2014 www gpsworld com 18
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