The different RSU models

The Euclid VIS shutter unit (RSU) is not directly built as a flight unit, but a number of preliminarily models are constructed in advance in order to progressively test the robustness and the maturity of the design.
According to the standard practices for the construction of flight hardware and the specific requirements of the Euclid VIS instrument, the following RSU models are being built:
  • The Engineering Model (EM)
  • The Thermal and Structural Model (STM)
  • The Bread-Board Model (BM)
  • The Qualification Model (QM)
  • The Flight Model (FM)
  • The Flight Spare (FS).
Here we present and discuss the BM model.

The Bread-board Model

The RSU BM is being developed in order to perform the first life-time test, which should demonstrate the resistance of the unit to the aging due to all foreseen actuations in more than 6 years of operations in space, and the first micro-vibration test, which should carefully assess the level of disturbance induced by the unit on the Euclid spacecraft while in motion.

 

The BM model ready for the life-time test in the thermal vacuum chamber at ESA/ESTEC (credits: APCO Technologies and University of Geneva).