Pyroshock Isolator for Spacecraft Applications

Abstract

Pyroshock produced by pyrotechnic devices are the most severe shock experienced by spacecraft and its components. In spacecraft pyro devices are used for deployment appendages and mounted on spacecraft with critical electronic equipments placed in their near field and mid field. Attenuation of the pyroshock levels transmitted to these equipments is attempted by providing passive isolator at the base of the pyro devices. The isolator material for spacecraft application is to be space qualified and the isolator dynamics to be uncoupled from spacecraft modes to survive launch loads. The isolator stiffness is arrived based on load characterisation tests done on the damper material and the isolator configuration is adaptable for mounting on spacecraft with restrictions in size, mass etc. Design of the isolator is done based on stiffness to achieve the isolation at high frequencies as well as to survive the launch loads. The shock attenuation of the order of 20 dB at high frequencies is achieved.