University of Colorado at Boulder University of Colorado CU Home Search A to Z Index Map
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Flight Model 1 second vibration test successful

May 18, 2015

2015-05-06 13.06.57On 2015 May 6, we went back to Ball Aerospace across town and strapped MinXSS Flight Model (FM) 1 to a shake table. This time around, we were on a huge table intended for normal-sized satellites that are usually about 100 times bigger than MinXSS. It looked pretty funny.

We had to do this second vibration test because after the first one, we discovered a problem with the heaters for the batteries and we replaced the whole battery pack with the one from FM-2. Not only was this required, but its good practice to ensure that the batteries will do okay during the real rocket ride up to space.

The test was fully successful. Now, we have very little left to do before we deliver. A few more tests for FM-1 and we’ll be ready to hand it over to be brought to the space station!