Tag: Spacecraft Testing
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How Do Engineers Choose Satellite Cables? Power, Signal, RF and High-Voltage Lines Have Different Requirements
A satellite unit may work perfectly on a test bench, then develop problems after installation on the spacecraft: low supply voltage, fluctuating temperature readings, intermittent bus errors or higher-than-expected radio-frequency (RF) losses. The fault may lie in the cable connecting the unit. A cable is rarely a transparent path between two devices. It has resistance,…
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How Brutal Is a Satellite Launch? G-Loads, Vibration, Shock, Noise and Vacuum Explained
A satellite is often treated as an exceptionally delicate object on the ground: temperature and humidity are tightly controlled in cleanrooms, lifting speeds are limited, connectors are fitted with protective caps, and optical surfaces cannot be exposed casually. But once sealed inside a payload fairing, it must endure engine ignition, liftoff, transonic flight, maximum dynamic…