Cryogenic vibration test set-up for space qualification

Abstract

For the validation and qualification programme of the Short Wavelength Spectrometer in the Infrared Space Observatory, we designed, built and tested a special set-up for vibration testing at cryogenic temperatures. This set-up has proved its usefulness and is fully operational; its design and performance are discussed here. The set-up can be cooled down to 80 K, using liquid nitrogen as a coolant. Loads of up to about 1 kg can be exposed to vibration levels representative for a launch. The mechanical transfer of the set-up is virtually flat up to 2000 Hz, while the cross-coupling between the vibration axes is no more than about 5%. The time for cooling down can be as short as 30 min, while warming up takes less than an hour.