Orbital Pegasus - Manual (Page 16)

Release 7.0 Apr 2010 5
Pegasus User’s Guide
2.1.4. Flight Termination System
The Pegasus Flight Termination System (FTS)
supports ground-initiated command destruct as
well as the capability to sense inadvertent stage
separation and automatically destruct the rocket.
The FTS is redundant, with two independent safe
and arm devices, receivers, logic units, and
batteries. 2.1.5. Attitude Control Systems
After release from the OCA, the Pegasus attitude
control system is fully autonomous. A combination
of open-loop steering and closed-loop guidance is
employed during the flight. Stage 1 guidance
utilizes a pitch profile optimized by ground
simulations. Stage 2 and Stage 3 guidance uses
an adaptation of an algorithm that was first
Figure 2-3. Principle Dimensions of Pegasus XL (Reference Only)