TEST PROGRAM FOR TRANSMITTER EXPERIMENT PACKAGE AND HEAT PIPE SYSTEM FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE

摘要

The test program is described for the 200-watt transmitter experiment package and the variable conductance heat pipe system - two components of the high-power transponder aboard the Communications Technology Satellite. The program included qualification tests to demonstrate design adequacy, acceptance tests to expose latent defects in flight hardware, and development tests to integrate the components into the transponder sys¬tem and to demonstrate compatibility. Although qualification and acceptance tests of advanced communications satellite subsystems are required before flight, they are not sufficient. Supplemental development and confidence testing is needed to provide an early demonstration of compatibility among various systems and confidence in hardware adequacy.