Separation
The separation subsystem, called 5SS ASAP (5 Standard Separation System for Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payload), has been manufactured for Arianespace by Dassault Aviation. It mates with UPM-Sat 1 via a flat, circular surface with twelve M6 screws, which has conditioned the geometric design of the satellite’s bottom tray.
The satellite has two Honeywell 2HM19-1 microswitches installed in the bottom tray of the platform. These microswitches remained open while the satellite was in the launcher and closed at the moment of separation, generating the ignition signal that activated the various subsystems once the satellite was injected into orbit. The separation system also has a switch that opens at separation, whose function is to confirm to the launcher the separation status of the satellite, and an electrical connection through which the trickle charge of the batteries is performed during the launch preparation period.
