Asset Publisher

Lifting the MPO onto the TTA

Lifting the MPO onto the TTA


Date: 27 August 2011
Satellite: BepiColombo
Depicts: Mercury Planetary Orbiter STM
Location: Test Centre, ESTEC
Copyright: ESA

An overhead crane lifts the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) Structural and Thermal Model from its ground handling trolley onto its Thermal Test Adapter (TTA).

As the spacecraft heats up during thermal-balance testing, it expands. If it were rigidly mounted to the interface in the Large Space Simulator (LSS), this expansion would give rise to large mechanical stresses. The TTA connects the MPO to the LSS interface through four bipods, providing an isostatic mounting for the spacecraft - as it expands, the bipod arms move to relieve the mechanical stresses.

Last Update: 1 September 2019
28-Mar-2024 20:56 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/AqpJqm8

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Related Publications

Related Links

Documentation