The Vehicle Interface Unit (VIU) was designed and built by Space Vector over 10 years ago to be a smart interface between sensitive, digital control electronics and the high power and often very diverse world of the vehicle analog interfaces. The VIU incorporates a modular design allowing users to "sandwich" together just the modules required to meet mission requirements. Available modules include:

Power Supply and Distributition Central Processing Unit with optional 1553 interface Attitude Control System Thruster Drivers Nozzle Drivers for motor thrust vector control systems Relay Drivers for discrete functions Analog and Telemetry Conditioning

The VIU is flight proven and currently being used by Lockheed Martin in support of National Missile Defense testing on the PLV program. Every unit is put through workmanship environmental stress screening to ensure the highest reliability. The VIU design is periodically upgraded to keep up with continuing advancements in electronics.

RF Filters, Couplers, Amplifiers, and Switches

• Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Bandstop, All Pass Filters
• Resistive, in-phase, 90° hybrid, 180° hybrid, directional couplers
• LNA, PA, distributed, cascode, darlington, class A, class AB, class B
• Reed relay, pin diode and FET based switches, both in series and shunt configurations

Support Circuity

• Limiters, gain equalizer, attenuators, sequencers, thermal compensators, linearizers, mixers, PLL’s, modulators, phase shifters, bias tee’s, etc.

Frequency Converters

• Block down, block up and frequency tuned down

Telemetry Antennas

• Microstrip, helical, omni-directional with integral LNAs and airborne blades
• Unique designs include sector-scan antennas for telemetry, phased antenna systems and complete single channel monopulse feeds for parabolic reflector antennas.

Telemetry Signal Simulators

• Antenna bore sight systems, portable hand-held field units and rack-mounted laboratory units

Custom Microwave Circuits

• Fixed and Tuned Phased Locked Oscillators and Monopulse Converters

Telemetry Transmitters

• PCM-FM transmitters and S-band video transmitters

Click here for a RF Capabilities brochure in a PDF file format.

Space Vector has manufactured and flown over 1500 cold gas components for a number of commercial and military customers. SVC has over 30 years experience in the design and development of cold gas system for launch vehicles, space shuttle launched satellite systems, and scientific experiments.

Thruster Valves

Space Vector thruster valves come in 2 coil sizes with output force in the micro thrust range to 25 lbf. All thrusters can be packaged individually or in a cluster arrangement. The large thruster valve is available with a standard 1 amp coil (28 W) or a low resistance high response (HR) coil. The inlet flow can be easily altered to accommodate a wide range of inlet pressures. Both sizes come with a variety of nozzle configurations and throat diameters to optimize thruster performance.

Pressure Regulators

Space Vector manufactures both single and dual stage pressure regulators that are capable of accurately regulating within 5%. The output pressure is adjustable from 15 to 500 psi. The dual stage regulator has a switchable output with a pressure range ratio (high to low) of greater than 8 to 1. This feature allows a single thruster to be used in a high thrust mode for large maneuvers or accelerations and low thrust mode for fine pointing. The electrically switchable output can be commanded at any time from high to low or low to high.

Isolation Valves

The Space Vector Isolation valves can be used with any system when long term storage is required or where remote fill capabilities do not exist. These single and dual squib isolation valves can be mounted anywhere downstream of the supply and are activated with 5 amps direct current per bridgewire. Electrical connector is MS3116-8-4S.

GPS Metric Tracking Units

Space Vector Corporation designs and manufactures a variety of range approved GPS tracking units. These modular units can be configured to provide power filtering and distribution, GPS data encoding and transmission, and optional SatCom interfaces. These units are designed to provide GPS metric tracking at any of the US launch ranges. We are currently supplying GPS systems for the following vehicles:

• ULA EELV (Atlas V and Delta IV) flown on the Eastern and Western ranges
• Lockheed Martin LV-2 Target Vehicle flown at RTS, PMRF, VAFB, and others
• Ait-2 Target flown at Kodiak

Launch Vehicle GPS Navigation Receiver

Space Vector Corporation is developing orbital insertion navigation systems for several launch vehicles. Space Vector’s GPS Receivers provide accurate navigation to allow precision satellite deployment.

Launch Vehicle GPS Analog Translator

Space Vector Corporation is providing solutions for strategic programs.

Launch Vehicle GPS Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)

Custom designed Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA) for launch vehicle applications.

Space GPS Receiver Systems

Space Vector Corporation has designed and tested a variety of space capable GPS receivers for ISS and spacecraft applications. Designs support LEO, HEO, MEO and GEO. Space Vector is developing Radiation Hardened Precision Positioning Systems that include SAASM and m-code applications.

Click here for a GPS brochure in a PDF file format.

Space Vector Corporation designs and manufactures various automated and manual support equipment for testing components and vehicle systems. Below is a brief list of our products.

• Automated Test Stations
• Telemetry (TM) Ground Stations
• Launch Consoles
• Pad Interface Boxes
• Booster Simulators
• Ordnance Simulators
• Separation Simulators
• Communications

Contact us with your requirements so we can evaluate your needs and provide you a quote.

Automated Battery and Cell Test Equipment

Booster Simulators

Automated Test Interface Box (ATIB)

Cabling

Space Vector designs, fabricates, and tests custom wiring harnesses, umbilical cables, and test cabling for a variety of customers including Lockheed Martin and Pacific Scientific. Features include:

• Mil-Standard Connectors
• Shielded wire for high EMI applications
• Rugged strain relief
• Thermal protection for high heating environments
• Low profile lanyard pull

Every cable is tested with our automatic cable scanner to accurately verify continuity and resistance. Our pin retention station ensures quality workmanship of each pin and socket on every connector.

Space Vector has been designing and building separation systems since the inception of the Aries vehicle for the deployment of payloads, shrouds, and recovery parachute systems. Computer simulations are used extensively in the performance prediction and evaluation of these systems.

Separation Joints

Space Vector produces v-band manacle ring joints in various diameters for separating stages and payloads. These joints differ from traditional marman clamp bands in that the manacle ring provides greater stiffness allowing much higher load caring capability. Joints developed by Space Vector have been tested to over 2 million inch-pound bending. The release mechanism incorporates either a bolt cutter or a non-explosive actuated (NEA) release nut. The NEA reduces shock and eliminates one-shot ordnance devices.

Pneumatic Pistons

The pneumatic piston separation system is used to impart a predetermined delta velocity between two sections. The velocity is easily adjusted by altering the initial supply pressure in the system. Another advantage of the pneumatic system is that the pushers are not pressurized until just prior to separation minimizing the loads on the joints and fasteners during flight.

A squib activated isolation valve initiates separation by allowing pressurized gaseous nitrogen to fill a set of pistons. After pressure equilibrium is achieved, a manacle ring or applicable securing device is released and separation occurs.

Precision Spring Pistons

The precision spring pushers were developed to precisly eject nose fairings and sections for a variety of Space Vector payloads and fairings. Delta velocity is adjusted by selection of springs and number of actuators.

Bellows Separation Systems

The pneumatic bellows separation system is used to impart a high velocity for the separated payload. Typical separation velocities are in the range of 40 ft/sec.

Click here for a seperation systems brochure in a PDF file format.

Space Vector currently fabricates a variety of rechargeable (secondary) batteries used in launch vehicle, spacecraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications. These rugged 28 Vdc batteries power vehicle systems under severe boost and space conditions. Batteries can be mounted with or without isolators. The 2.2 AH battery is used on several range approved RCC-319 Flight Termination Systems (FTS) and often coupled with our FTS relay box to power the command/destruct receivers, S&A, and destruct ordnance as shown the block diagram below. The 10 AH battery is qualified to power range tracking systems and has cell heaters for operating in cold environments. Our batteries have successfully passed qualification level thermal cycling, vibration, shock, vacuum, humidity, fungus resistance, fine sand, salt fog, explosive atmosphere, and EMI/EMC testing and have flown on a variety of missions and vehicle configurations.

Space Vector produces a line of aerospace grade lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries. The 2.5 Ah Li-Ion FTS battery is designed as a drop in replacement for our existing 2.2 Ah Ni-Cd battery and incorporates high-current cells capable of delivering over 30 Amps (30 ms pulse) at 28 Vdc under extreme environments. The 20 Ah Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) system battery is capable of delivery over 200 Amps continuously from a single, lightweight package. Each battery uses SVChargeTM Smart Battery Technology which provides Programmable Protection and Monitoring. The cells within the battery are balanced during charging with optional “Flight Mode” lockout of protection features during flight. Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries can be purchased either with an internal or external Battery Management System (BMS). Battery Chargers are available to discharge the batteries in the field, measure capacity, and display cell voltage, current, and temperature.

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)Batteries
	P/N 39401
2.5 Ah Li-Ion Flight Safety Battery
	P/N 39401-2
2.5 Ah Li-Ion Flight Safety Battery
	P/N 39611
2.5 Ahr Li-Ion Range Safety Battery
	P/N 39381
25 Ahr System Battery
	Stacking feature of P/N 39381
Ni-Cd Batteries
	P/N 36441 Multiple variants available with isolators, heaters, current monitoring and connector types
2.2 Ah Range Approved Flight Safety Battery
	P/N 31771
7 Ah System Battery
	P/N 39041 P/N 39041-1
7 Ah and 10 Ah System Batteries with Heaters
Battery Chargers
Lab and Vehicle based charging
Battery Charger GUI
Vehicle Flight Termination System Block Diagram

Click here for a 2.2 AH, 7.0 AH or 10.0 AH battery brochure in a PDF file format.

A 2.5 AH or 25 AH lithium ion battery brochure is available in a PDF file format.