Acoustic test and analysis of spacecraft commercial off-the-shelf components

In the faster, cheaper, and better era, a spacecraft usually consists of various commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The existing specifications of some COTS components may not conform to the predicted vibro-acoustic environment. A science mission spacecraft program is described to demonstrate these issues and their resolutions. A detail acoustic analysis was performed for the specific COTS component to define its potential risks. Trade-off study was made between risk, cost, and schedule. Decision was made to accept the COTS as is and to proceed with the spacecraft acoustic test without component qualification. The acoustic test was conducted in a reverberant chamber. The chamber acoustic profile was shaped to simulate the launch vehicle fairing acoustic environment. The acoustic test verified the prediction of acoustic analysis. Final functional test verified the successful qualification of the spacecraft including the COTS component at risk.