Attitude and articulation control system testing for Project Galileo

A type of facility required to integrate and test a complex autonomous spacecraft subsystem is presented, using the attitude and articulation control subsystem (AACS) of Project Galileo as an example. The equipment created for testing the AACS at both the subsystem and spacecraft system levels is described, including a description of the support equipment (SE) architecture in its two main configurations, closed loop simulation techniques, the user interface to the SE, and plans for the use of the facility beyond the test period. This system is capable of providing a flight-like functional environment through the use of accurate real-time models and carefully chosen points of interaction, and flexible control capability and high visibility to the test operator.