Optimized separation system for small satellites missions

The launch phase is a critical step in a spacecraft operative life and it is therefore mandatory to provide for a robust and reliable interface between the launch vehicle and the spacecraft, focusing the attention at the same time on both the mechanical aspects and the resulting mass, due to the impact on the overall launch costs. In this paper the Separation System designed and manufactured by ALMASpace S.r.l. is described, taking into account the FM provided for the ALMASat-1 mission, as interface with the VEGA launch vehicle: concerning the mechanical aspects, the entire design and optimization workflow is presented; in the second half the qualification test campaign performed in order to verify the compliancy with the requirements imposed by the launch vehicle is described. In particular, since the entire Separation System would like to become a future standard for microsatellite-class spacecrafts, the requirements imposed by the VEGA launch vehicle have been taken into account: the vibration, thermal vacuum and functional tests results will be reported. The test campaign confirmed the good quality of both the numerical analysis performed on the Separation System and the manufacturing process, allowing the Separation System to achieve the full qualification for the launch.