Shock Response Prediction of a Low Altitude Earth Observation Satellite During Launch Vehicle Separation

Abstract

Several pyrotechnic devices are employed over the course of satellites missions, generally for the separation of structural subsystems and deployment of appendages. Firing of pyrotechnic devices results in impulsive loads characterized by high peak acceleration and high frequency content which can cause failures of various flight hardware elements and small components. Thus, accurate prediction of acceleration level in various components of spacecraft due to pyrotechnic devices is important. In this paper, two methods for pyroshock prediction, an empirical model and statistical energy analysis in conjunction with virtual mode synthesis, are applied to predict shock response of a low altitude earth observation satellite during launch vehicle separation. The predicted results are then evaluated through comparison with the shock test results.