De-risk assessment: Assessment, breadboarding and testing of Demisable Joint

Objective(s): •Identify potential critical aspects that can impair the correct functioning of the Demisable Joint and, in case, identify possible mitigation actions. The main technical steps are:•Washer material review •Assessment of Separation of S/C External Panels •Impact of Implementation of DJ on S/C Casualty Area

Background and justification: •The de-risking activity presented in this proposal is not meant to increase the TRL of the DJ (not directly) but its main purpose is to anticipate the identification and estimation of some of the main criticalities related to the development of the DJ, in order to define recovery actions for the parallel ITI activity, which will increase the TRL. Achievements and status: •Found alternative materials for the washer (e.g. Tin-Babbit)•An assessment of several aspects (Piping, Harness, MLI and integration aspects) has been conducted and potential feasible solutions have been identified: avoid cable bundles, consider thickness reduction of MLI in the area of the joints, consider a petal-opening configuration. •Simulations performed in TADAP on case of Sentinel-1: in order to significantly reduce the S/C total casualty area, a combination of demisable joints and demisable equipment is needed.Benefits: •The results have been injected in the parallel ITI activity on DJ in the software analysis and testing phase, in order to increase the current technology TRL to 4/5. The solution of a thick a large washer made of Tin-Babbit may be preferable for future developments.