Qualification Testing Phase of Satellite Structure - Finite Element Analysis for Satellite Structures - page 257

Table 6.1 Dynamic tests schedule
Type of operation Number of days required

Vibration due to transportation (Z-dir) [auto—train—aircraft] 7

Vibration due to transportation (Y-dir) [auto—train—aircraft] 7

Vibration due to transportation (X-dir) [auto—train—aircraft] 7

Modal and vibration due to launching (X-dir) 7

Modal vibration due to launching (Y-dir) 7

Modal and vibration due to launching (Z-dir) 7

Shock test (2nd stage separation and fairing jettison) 4

Separation of satellite strength mockup. 7

Unfolding of solar panels 2

Check mounting accuracy 7

During vibration tests, acceleration is recorded at attachment points of satellite
components, and at four attachment points of the container (during tests for case of
transportation) or at three points of attachment of the adapter to the mechanical
support equipment (during tests for case of launch). The recorded data is used to
calculate the vibration-transfer coefficients at the mounting seats of the satellite
components (ratio of the acceleration at mounting seats of satellite components to
the average acceleration at mounting seats of the container during the tests for case
of transportation or at the mounting seats of the adapter during the tests for case of
launch). Shock strength in the cases of Stage 2/Upper Stage separation and Pay-
load Fairing jettison is simulated. During tests for cases of satellite separation and
solar array deployment, the pyrotechnic devices are actuated, then accelerometers
measure vibration acceleration at different locations on the satellite, and on the
solar array rotation mechanisms.

6.2.4 Environmental Tests

The purpose of the dynamic environmental tests is to verify the satellite structure
strength under vibration loads while transporting satellite using rail and car. These
vibrations are random vibrations, which are defined in terms of PSD (g 2 /Hz) as
shown in Table A.2 for rail transport and Table A.4 for car transport. First, the
vibration strength tests for the case of transportation using motor transport are
performed, then followed by the case of transportation by railway. Strength mock-
up is mounted on technological facilities (Fig. 6.6 ), then covered by a container.
During testing by shaker the random vibration is applied alternately in three
mutually perpendicular directions:

• vertical (Y-axis),
• in moving direction (X-axis),
• in direction perpendicular to transportation direction (Z-axis).