SOFIA (Bulgaria), August 9, 2016 – Bulgaria Sat is just one step away from launching the first Bulgarian geostationary satellite after the start of its production two years ago. The leading Bulgarian telecommunications company and the largest pay-TV service provider is just one test away from full technological readiness of the satellite for launch.
Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites selected to produce Bulgaria Sat-1, announced that it recently successfully completed vibration and acoustic testing, an important phase of the environmental testing process.
Because geostationary satellites orbit at 36,000 kilometers above Earth, they undergo extensive ground testing before launch. The goal of vibration and acoustic testing is to simulate the conditions that the satellite will endure during launch.
"The successful completion of this important test procedure brings us to just one remaining phase before the launch of BulgariaSat-1 - the antennas testing. The satellite's preparation is on track, and before the end of this year, we will be ready to launch BulgariaSat-1 into space. This only demonstrates that if one Bulgarian company, thanks to the efforts of its team and strong support of its customers, can gain the trust of the international partners and launch a satellite into space, we as a nation have the potential to manage and implement complex projects, which improve our lives and business environment."
Prior to vibration testing, BulgariaSat-1 successfully completed acoustic testing, which further simulates launch conditions by subjecting the satellite to acoustic levels exceeding 140 decibels.
To achieve full technological readiness for launch into space, BulgariaSat-1 needs to successfully complete only one more important step – a test of its antennas at the Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR).
More About Vibration Testing
After vibration testing was completed, BulgariaSat-1 underwent thorough testing to ensure it continued to function nominally and that its components remained undisturbed. The test was successful and assured the engineers at SSL that the satellite is robust enough to endure the rough ride to space.
In order to most accurately simulate the vibration that the satellite will endure during launch, SSL's vibration table shakes the satellite in the X, Y, and Z axes at varying frequencies.
About the First Bulgarian Geostationary Satellite BulgariaSat-1
When launched, BulgariaSat-1 will be the first geostationary communications satellite in the country's history at the Bulgarian orbital position, providing Direct-to-Home (DTH) television and data communications services in the Balkans and other European regions.
The satellite's manufacturing was awarded to the leading company in this field, Space Systems/Loral (SSL), based in Silicon Valley, United States. BulgariaSat-1 is scheduled to be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket by the end of 2016. The launch, hosted by NASA at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, will be broadcast live.