← ALL AVIONICS
VARIOUS (ENSIGN-BICKFORD, SPACEX, ULA)
Flight Termination System (AFTS)
Range SafetyFlight Termination System● Active
MASS
15 kg
POWER
25 W
REDUNDANCY
Dual-redundant (independent chains)
RAD HARDENED
N/A (short mission duration)
FIRST USE
Jan 2017
Flight Termination System (AFTS) is a range safety system manufactured by Various (Ensign-Bickford, SpaceX, ULA). It features dual-redundant (independent chains) redundancy.
ABOUT FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM (AFTS)
The Autonomous Flight Termination System is a safety-critical system that can destroy a launch vehicle if it deviates from its planned trajectory. Traditional FTS relied on ground command; the autonomous version uses onboard GPS and algorithms to make termination decisions independently. AFTS has become standard on US launch vehicles.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
Onboard GPS compares vehicle position/velocity against pre-loaded flight safety limits; autonomous destruct if violated
VEHICLES USING THIS SYSTEM
Falcon 9Atlas VVulcanVarious US launch vehicles
SPECIFICATIONS
| CATEGORY | Range Safety |
| TYPE | Flight Termination System |
| MANUFACTURER | Various (Ensign-Bickford, SpaceX, ULA) |
| MASS | 15 kg |
| POWER CONSUMPTION | 25 W |
| REDUNDANCY | Dual-redundant (independent chains) |
| RADIATION HARDENED | N/A (short mission duration) |
| ACCURACY | GPS-based position accuracy < 10 m |
| FIRST USE | January 1, 2017 |
| STATUS | Active |
DETAILED SPECS
| DECISION_TIME_MS | < 100 |
| GPS_CHANNELS | 12 |
| BATTERY_LIFE_HR | 8 |
| ARM_FIRE_INDEPENDENT | Yes |
