Ex certified loadcells fit for refuelling spacecraft

IS & Ex

August 2004 IS & Ex

Space exploration has been mankind's dream for many years and over the last decades it has become more of a reality. The construction of the international space station (ISS) with its extensive laboratory capacity makes the advance from basic research to applied research possible - especially under the special conditions of weightlessness.

As a flying laboratory, the ISS must meet certain requirements to ensure that it runs smoothly. The refuelling facility is a small but significant piece of this mosaic. Sartorius and its Hamburg subsidiary, Global Weighing Technology (GWT), were chosen to supply the required weighing technology for the largest satellite refuelling facility ever built by Astrium - Europe's leading space exploration company.

In choosing Sartorius and GWT, criteria such as long-term stability and absolute precision in weight determination were decisive.

Components of industrial weighing technology such as explosion-protected loadcells, indicators and platforms, constitute a central element of the refuelling facility for the automatic transport vehicle (ATV). In addition to scientific payloads, the ATV will transport seven metric tons of supply materials, fuel, materials and samples to the ISS.

In order to fulfil these tasks, safe and precise refuelling of the ATV with explosive and very expensive two-component fuel is a vital prerequisite. For safety reasons the trailers that hold the tanks with the fuel components are mounted on four EX-certified loadcells. Two stainless steel platform scales are used to check the weights of smaller tanks, which have specialised functions. Outside the hazardous area, weights are displayed on a PC located one kilometre from the refuelling facility and are logged throughout the process.

This project is a good example of how Sartorius and GWT complement each other in their range of explosion-protected weighing products. Both brands are available in South Africa through their local agents, Carl Zeiss.

For more information contact Natalie Sansom, Carl Zeiss, 011 886 9510, [email protected]

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Ex certified loadcells fit for refuelling spacecraft

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