Mechanical ground support equipment for a GEO satellite communication payload

In satellite manufacturing projects, non-flight equipment, systems, or devices specifically designed and developed for a direct physical or functional interface with flight hardware are called ground support equipment (GSE). This equipment can be divided into two distinct categories, electrical and mechanical. This paper introduces mechanical ground support equipment (MGSE) based on the cleanliness criteria. This criterion is established through evaluating necessities of Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test of a GEO satellite. In the first chapter, literature for design and manufacture of MGSEs are discussed through evaluating NASA standards for the design and fabrication of ground support equipment. Furthermore, GEO satellite projects demands to a clean room and consequent supporting equipment are defined. In the next step, requirements of designing and manufacturing MGSEs are briefly discussed. Furthermore, conceptual designs of three MGSEs convenient in aerospace projects are presented. It is worthwhile to say that the third model of this MGSE has been awarded an Iranian patent certificate under license of Iranian ministry of since, research and technology.