DEVICE FOR PRESSURISING A UNIFIED TWO-LIQUID PROPULSION SUBSYSTEM FOR GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES

PCT No. PCT/FR96/00278 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 11, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 11, 1997 PCT Filed Feb. 21, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/26108 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 29, 1996The invention relates to a device for pressurizing a standardized two-liquid propulsion system of a geostationary satellite comprising a high pressure helium storage unit (10) having at least one helium storage tank, a regulating unit (11) and a pressurizing unit for propellant tanks (17, 18) interconnected by a pressurizing circuit, wherein the regulating unit is an electronic regulating unit comprising at least one electrovalve (51), positioned at a location of the pressurizing circuit and controlled by a processing and control circuit (54), which receives informations from pressure sensors (43, 47, 48) associated with the different tanks, said processing and control circuit permitting a constant pressure pressurization of the propellant tanks (17, 18) by flow lines including a combination of pyrotechnic valves, filter elements and calibrated leak elements during the satellite transfer and placing in position phase and a measurement of the residual propellant quantity during the orbital life phase of the satellite so as to predict satellite End of Life to within 2 months out of a 15 year mission.