LM-3A Series Launch Vehicle User’s Manual

CHAPTER 4 PAYLOAD FAIRING

4.1 Introduction

The fairing is designed to limit the aerodynamic thermal load transmitted to the satellite and
attenuate the acoustic loads from the main engines during launch.

Figure 4-1 Payload Faring Encapsulation on Launch Pad

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The aerodynamic thermal flux upon fairing jettison is not greater than 1,135 W/m2. This is
the standard mission profile and all satellites are required to meet the thermal flux
requirements.

There are five fairings available for the LM-3A Series launch vehicles, which are designated
as 3350, 3700Z, 4000F, 4200F and 4200Z.

The two encapsulation methods are as follows:

Encapsulation-on-Pad: When the satellite is encapsulated on the pad the satellite and
fairing are transported to launch pad separately, then the fairing is encapsulated following
the mate of satellite to the launch vehicle.

Encapsulation-in-BS3: When the satellite is encapsulated in BS3 the satellite is mated to

the Payload Adapter (PLA) and encapsulated in the fairing in BS3. The encapsulated
satellite is shipped to the launch pad in the fairing and the complete assembly is mated to
the launch vehicle.

The application of these fairings is shown in Table 4-1 below.

Table 4-1 Fairing Type
Fairing Type Diameter (mm) LV Version Encapsulation

3350 3,350 LM-3A On Pad only

3700Z 3,700 LM-3B/3C In BS3 only

4000F 4,000 LM-3B/3BE/3C On Pad only

4200F 4,200 LM-3BE On Pad only

4200Z 4,200 LM-3BE In BS3 only

4.2 3350 Fairing

The 3350 fairing has an external diameter of 3,350 mm, a total height of 8,887 mm. This
fairing is only available for the LM-3A launch vehicle and designed to be encapsulated on
the pad. The fairing can be used with the 937B, 1194 and 1194A Payload Adapter (PLA)
interfaces and its configuration and static envelope are shown in Figure 4-2a and Figure
4-2b.

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Figure 4-2a LM-3A Fairing
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Figure 4-2b 3350 Fairing Static Envelope
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Figure 4-3 3350 Fairing Encapsulation-on-Pad

4.3 3700Z Fairing

The 3700Z fairing has an external diameter of 3,700 mm, a total height of 10,796 mm, and is
used for dual launch with the LM-3B launch vehicle with satellite encapsulated in the BS3.
This fairing can be used with the 1194 and 1194A Payload Adapter (PLA) interfaces. The
configuration and static envelope are shown in Figure 4-4a and 4-4b.

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Figure 4-4a 3700Z Fairing

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Figure 4-4b 3700Z Fairing Static Envelope
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4.4 4000F Fairing

The 4000F fairing has an external diameter of 4,000 mm a total height of 9,561 mm, and is
used with the LM-3B and LM-3C launch vehicle for satellite encapsulation on the launch pad.
This fairing can be used with the 937B, 1194 and 1194A payload adapters. The configuration
and static envelope are shown in Figure 4-5a and Figure 4-5b.

Figure 4-5a 4000F Fairing

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Figure 4-5b 4000F Fairing Static Envelope
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Figure 4-6 4000F Faring Encapsulation-on-Pad

Figure 4-7 4000F Fairing Encapsulation-on-Pad

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4.5 4200F Fairing

The 4200F fairing has an external diameter of 4,200 mm, a total height of 9,777 mm, and is
used with the LM-3BE launch vehicles for satellite encapsulated on the launch pad. This
fairing can be used with the 973B, 1194 and 1194A Payload Adapter (PLA) interfaces. The
configuration and static envelope are shown in Figure 4-8a and 4-8b.

Figure 4-8a 4200F/4200Z Fairing

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Figure 4-8b 4200F Fairing Static Envelope

4.6 4200Z Fairing

The 4200Z fairing has an external diameter of 4,200 mm, a total height of 9,381 mm, and is
used with the LM-3BE launch vehicles for satellite encapsulated in BS3. This fairing can be
used with the 973B, 1194 and 1194A Payload Adapter (PLA) interfaces. The configuration
and static envelope are shown in Figure 4-8a and Figure 4-8c.

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Figure 4-8c 4200Z Fairing Static Envelope

4.7 Static Envelope

The static envelope of the fairing that is usable with the customers’ satellite defines the
maximum physical dimensions of the satellite to ensure clearance within the fairing. The
static envelope varies with the fairing and adapter selected, but within the cylindrical section
of the fairing the static envelope for each group of fairings is 3,000 mm diameter for the 3350

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fairing, 3,350 mm diameter for the 3700Z fairings, 3,650 mm diameter for the 4000F fairings,
and 3,850 mm diameter for the 4200F and 4200Z fairings.

The fairing and adapter static envelopes are shown in Figure 4.2b to Figure 4-8c.

Sections of the satellite appendages that extend into the exclusion zones of the static
envelope will require technical coordination with CALT.

4.8 Dynamic Envelope

The dynamic envelope is determined during the mission analysis based on the SC/LV
Coupled Loads Analysis (CLA).

4.9 Thermal Protection

The fairings are designed to ensure that the temperature of the inner surface of the fairing
structure does not exceed 80°C during the powered flight phase.

4.10 Fairing Separation

The fairing separation system includes a lateral and longitudinal release mechanism with a
rotating separation mechanism. The release mechanism for the 3350 fairing uses explosive
bolts, and the separation mechanism consists of separation springs with rotating hinges.
The release mechanism for the 3700Z, 4000F, 4200F and 4200Z fairing use the notched
bolts, explosive cord and explosive bolts, and the separation mechanism consists of
separation springs with rotating hinges. See Figure 4-9a and Figure 4-9b.

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Figure 4-9a Structure & Separation Device of LM-3A Fairing
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Figure 4-9b Structure & Separation Device of LM-3B/3BE/3C Fairing
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4.10.1 Lateral Release Mechanism

For all types of fairing, the base ring of the fairing is connected to the forward skirt of the
third stage with explosive bolts. The lateral explosive bolts are simultaneously detonated to
release the lateral connection for fairing separation.

4.10.2 Longitudinal Release Mechanism

For the 3350 fairing, the longitudinal separation system comprises twelve explosive bolts,
which are simultaneously released with the lateral explosive bolts at fairing separation.

For 3700Z, 4000F, 4200F and 4200Z fairings, the longitudinal release mechanism uses
notched bolts, explosive cord, expanding hose, and two explosive bolts. All these parts
jointly take their actions to perform the release functions.

4.10.3 Fairing Separation Mechanism

The fairing separation mechanism comprises hinges and springs, with each half of the
fairing being supported by two hinges. There are six separation springs on each half of the
fairing, and after the lateral and longitudinal release mechanisms have been activated, each
half of the fairing turns around the hinge under the spring force to accomplish the fairing
jettisoning.

4.11 RF Windows and Access Doors

Radio frequency (RF) transparent windows can be incorporated into the fairing biconical
section and cylindrical section to allow the satellite command and telemetry signals to be
available to the satellite via RF transmission. The RF windows are tailored to the customer’s
specific requirements as defined in the ICD. The insertion loss and transparency rate for the
RF transparent windows are shown in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2 Insertion loss and transparency rate for the RF transparent windows
Frequency (GHz) 0.4 4 8 10 13 15 17

Insertion loss (dB) 0.25 0.47 0.52 1.63 1.4 2.73 4.11

Transparency Rate 0.94 0.89 0.88 0.68 0.72 0.53 0.38

Access doors can be provided in the cylindrical section to permit limited access to the
satellite after the fairing encapsulation and these are tailored to the customer’s requirements.

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The un-shadowed areas in Figure 4-10a, Figure 4-10b and Figure 4-10c are available for RF
windows and access doors. The size, location and number of RF window / access door will
be fixed at eight months prior to launch (launch - 8 months).

4.12 Customer Logo

The customer can have a specially designed logo painted or sticked to the cylindrical
section of the fairing and appropriately positioned. The overall design and location will be
determined through the Interface Control Document (ICD) and Mission Reviews. The
artwork for the logo is to be supplied by the customer not later than eight months prior to
launch (Launch - 8 months).

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Figure 4-10a Access Door & RF Window Allowable of 3350 Fairing
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Figure 4-10b Access Door & RF Window Allowable of 4000F/4200F/4200Z Fairing
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Figure 4-10c Access Door & RF Window Allowable of 3700Z Fairing
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