AE3811 Space Systems Laboratory

This course covers principles of spacecraft test programs, test philosophies and requirements of commercial, NASA, military programs, and evaluation as a team of a given spacecraft program test requirements .It covers component, subsystem, and system level tests. Environmental tests cover static, sinusoidal, acoustic, random, shock, modal, thermal balance and thermal vacuum tests. The course covers experiments in Fltsatcom Laboratory on satellite performance and other spacecraft test beds. The course also covers test effectiveness and history of on-orbit failures.

Prerequisite

AE3840

Lecture Hours

2

Lab Hours

2

Course Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the course students will be able to: 

• Explain basic principles of spacecraft testing, such as thermal vacuum, thermal balance, sinusoidal vibration, acoustic, static, shock, and electrostatic discharge tests. 
• Explain different levels of testing, development, qualification, protoflight, acceptance and test margins. 
• Explain component and subsystem qualification, protoflight, and acceptance tests. 
• Explain system level qualification, protoflight, and acceptance tests. 
• Review test plans for different spacecraft, including military and commercial. 
• Review military standard test requirements for space vehicles. 
• Complete a team project to identify deficiencies in given spacecraft test plan at subsystem and system level. 
• Review failures versus test thoroughness index for various USAF and commercial programs. 
• Perform experiments in Spacecraft Research and Design Centers and Satellite Servicing laboratory and make presentations. 
• Visit spacecraft testing and integration facilities to gain knowledge of state-of-art in spacecraft testing.