As part of the VEGA programme, GTD has won a contract with the European Space Agency (ESRIN) for the specification of L3 software for Vega’s ground segment.The VEGA launcher is being developed with the support of seven ESA member states, including Spain. VEGA will be able to launch small satellites of up to 1.5 tonnes in polar orbit. The level 3 SW specifications for the VEGA launcher, which GTD is writing, relates to the automatic procedures that describe the operations which have to take place both in the ground installations and on the launcher before liftoff.These automatic procedures form part of the application software control bench Vega (BCV) and are used to automate and control launcher operations and its ground installations during the preparatory phase of the launch until the moment of liftoff (H0) and certain post-launch security operations. These operations include starting up and checking the onboard computer (OBC), the inertial unit and all the other security systems, pyrotechnic control, control and activation of the separation at the various rocket stages, etc. The project includes the specification of application software for the various subsystems:- OBC (On Board Computer)- MFU (Multifunctional Unit)- SAS (Safeguard Subsystem)- SEC (Security Subsystem)The contract also includes the graphic interface specification for the VEGA control bench user. This specification defines the synoptic chart which enable Arianespace operators to monitor the state of the launcher and to control the operations that have to be conducted by the launcher or its ground installations.This interface provides a graphic representation of the various subsystems that make up VEGA’s avionics, and enables the status to be visualised as well as the sending of commands by selecting the component to be controlled from the synoptic chart.
