ESA GNC Conference Papers Repository

The first SGEO platform used as bus for the Hispasat 36W-1 mission has successfully achieved its on-ground test campaign including AOCS verification and validation activities at various stages. It will be launched end of January 2017 into geostationary transfer orbit. This paper will present the overall verification strategy as well as critical steps in the AOCS validation. The verification strategy followed the traditional v-model starting from unit level and reaching full system testing in final flight configuration. The different steps in simulation and protoflight testing will be described leading to a fully qualified geostationary platform AOCS. In a first part, the specifics of the testing at AOCS software level will be described leading to a qualified software ready for integration into the satellite control software and further validation at subsystem and system level.Then, AOCS unit testing on platform level will be addressed pointing out some specifics related to the elements used such as the APS star tracker and the GPS receiver. The focus will thereafter be set on the closed loop testing including as much hardware as possible in the loop, especially the cold gas and the electrical propulsion systems. In a last part, the crucial end-to-end polarity verification will be explained looking specifically at the thruster identity and reaction wheel polarity testing on the fully integrated satellite.