Ground Support Equipment for the UK-2/S-52 International Satellite

This paper explains the problems associated with the determination of the requirements for the Ground Handling and Special Test Equipment for the UK-2/S-52 International Satellite. The spacecraft is instrumented with three main experiments for ionospheric research. Design methods that satisfy the requirements of the normal and special handling procedures that are encountered from the factory to the launch pad are detailed. Also, the integration, calibration, and confidence tests of the satellite and the special test equipment needed to perform these tests are discussed.