What is Flight Termination System (FTS)?

1.   A Flight Termination System (FTS) consists of the components onboard a vehicle that provides the ability to end that vehicle's flight in a controlled manner.

2.   An FTS may comprise different types of equipment or procedure, including: a self-destruct system for remote initiation, a separation system, a parachute release system or any other systems or components onboard the launched vehicle that may be used to terminate flight and minimise the impact of the ground.

3.   In order to increase the flight safety, these kinds of systems must be completely independent. For this reason, an FTS must have its dedicated communications datalink and triggering mechanism. In case of autopilot or communications error, the FTS will still be capable of terminating the flight by the remote pilot.