This paper details the design and development process for the umbilical connector for the Beagle2 Mars Lander. The umbilical connector provides electrical power and vital telemetry from Mars Express to Beagle2. A mated pair of MIL-DTL-38999 Series IV connectors using standard 15-35 arrangement was extensively modified to meet the technical challenges of the mission, while accommodating the mechanical interface of the two spacecraft. In the latter portion of this study, theoretical calculation of ejection mechanism was utilized to predict the umbilical connector separation force and time. The predicted values were then compared with the experimental data obtained and found to correlate very well. In addition, the empirical tests also demonstrated excellent reliability of the connector after short and long-term exposure to thermal vacuum condition. Overall, the test results proved that the design of this umbilical connector was very robust and met all technical requirements.
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机译：本文详细介绍了Begle2 Mars Lander的脐带连接器的设计和开发过程。脐带连接器提供从Mars Express到Gemle2的电力和重要的遥测。使用标准15-35布置的配合对MIL-DTL-38999系列IV连接器被广泛修改，以满足任务的技术挑战，同时适应两个航天器的机械界面。在本研究的后一部分中，利用喷射机构的理论计算来预测脐带连接器分离力和时间。然后将预测值与获得的实验数据进行比较，发现非常好。此外，经验测试还在短期和长期暴露于热真空状态后显示了连接器的优异可靠性。总体而言，测试结果证明，这种脐带连接器的设计非常强大，符合所有技术要求。
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