FORWARD SKIRT THERMOCONDITIONING
Electrical equipment in the third stage forward skirt area is thermally conditioned by a heat transfer system, using “cold plates” on which electronic components are mounted, and through which coolant fluid circulates. Coolant is pumped through the system from the IU and returned. Heat from electrical equipment attached to the cold plates is dissipated by conduction through the mounting feet and the cold plates to the fluid. Refer to the Instru
The forward skirt area is purged with gaseous nitrogen to minimize fire and explosion hazards while propellants are loaded or stored in the stage. Gaseous nitrogen is supplied and remotely controlled from a ground source.
Ordnance Systems
The ordnance systems perform stage separation, retrorocket ignition, ullage control rocket ignition and jettison, and range safety functions.