Configuration and Design of Mobile Checkout System for Ground Testing of Reusable Launch Vehicle

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">The winged body reusable launch vehicle needs to be tested and evaluated for its functionality during the pre-flight preparation at the runway. The ground based checkout systems for the avionics and the actuator performance testing during pre-flight evaluation are not designed for rapid movement. This new kind of launch vehicle with solid rocket first-stage and winged body upper-stage demands the system testing at Launchpad and at the runway. The safety protocol forbids the permanent structure for hosting the checkout system near runway. The alternative is to develop a rapidly deployable and removable checkout system. A design methodology adopting conventional industrial instrumentation systems and maintaining mobility is presented. This paper presents the design and development of a mobile checkout system for supporting the ground pre-flight testing during autonomous flight landing trials.</div></div>