Experimental Research on Combined Vibro-Acoustic Test of a Satellite

Abstract

Random vibration tests and acoustic tests are typical environmental testing approaches for verifying the dynamic environmental adaptability of a satellite, which should be selectively carried out on the ground before launch. Existing test criteria suggest that large spacecraft should be excited in a reverberation chamber, whereas a shaker should be used for a small spacecraft. With the development of an experimental technique of environment simulation, the combined vibration and acoustic (vibro-acoustic) testing technique and the coupling effect are increasingly investigated for reproducing a more realistic environment and avoiding an overtest or an undertest. This paper describes a combined vibro-acoustic test of a full-scale prototype satellite in detail. The equivalence between random vibration and acoustics excitation for satellite ground testing is discussed. Then the vibro-acoustic coupling influence distribution on the satellite is experimentally investigated by using a defined reduction ratio factor. Finally the inhibition of high-frequency sound pressure caused by the cavity resonance is quantitatively measured to show the attenuation center frequency of sound pressure spectrum.