After 4 months testing in GTDs workshop, the DSM system (Manual Security/safety Device) was sent to Kourou to its replacement. This Device is controlled by 6 command posts at the Ground Control Room.Its main function is to reestablish the safe position of all fluid control valves in case of any malfunction in the Ariane 5 Control Command System (CCO). At that point, any of the six control posts will execute the “Coup de Poing” (Punch) action, and the DSM will override the CCO system putting it all back to safe position and avoiding any danger to the launcher and furthermore to the MASSIF and Table compounds. The fact of triggering the DSM means that the whole launch sequence will be stopped or in a worse case aborted, until all the valves are reset to their working position and the whole installation is working back properly. Part of DSM control panels Luckily the DSM system hasn’t been used much in the last 195 Ariane flights, but whenever it has been needed it has accomplished its performance without any problem. After this renewal GTD is sure that the DSM will perform like the first day, and we hope the DSM isn’t used much for the next Ariane flights.
