Last ATV lifts off to supply the International Space Station The fifth and final mission of ESA’s ATV launched on an unmanned Ariane 5 ES from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana) is heading for the International Space Station. The Ariane 5 ES is an expendable launch vehicle used to deliver the ATV to the ISS. The Vulcain main engine is equipped with six Moog structural supports, which support the engine during launch. Moog also supplies the propellant valve assemblies (PVA), which control the pressure fed hypergolic upper stage engine. The Moog PVA is a single assembly that controls all functions of the engine, including purging for multiple starts and cooling. Each assembly has a main inlet and outlet for the propellants and GHe for pilot and purging. Electromechanical thrust vector control (EM TVC) actuators also play a key role on the Upper Stage Engine, supporting attitude control after separation of the first stage. Moog provided a pressure equalization assembly (PEA) confirms that the cabin pressures of the ISS and of the ATV are equalized when the ATV docks to the station. The PEA also monitors the internal cabin pressure inside the pressurized compartment of the ATV. In addition, Moog also supplied the cabin fan assembly. Critical propulsion components were also supplied by Moog, including thruster valves, pressure transducers and non-return valves. Pressure transducers are used for pressure gauging in various subsystems and consist of a pressure-sensing element and a dedicated set of electronics, integrated into one compact design. Non-return valves are required to prevent back flow and mixture of fuel (MMH) and oxidizer (NTO) liquid or vapor from the propellant tanks to the helium pressurization system. The unmanned ATV-5 is the last of Europes ATV spacecraft line, which has been resupplying the orbiting lab since 2008. Watch the launch back at: bit.ly/atv5launch #readysetmoog #atv5
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 07:01:16 +0000
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