Monitoring shock when transporting a satellite from assembly to the launch pad is crucial for several important reasons:
- Preservation of Equipment Integrity: Satellites are highly sensitive and complex pieces of equipment with delicate internal components. Even minor shocks during transportation can lead to structural damage, dislodged components, or misalignments. Monitoring shock helps ensure that the satellite arrives at the launch pad in the same pristine condition as when it left the assembly facility.
- Mission Success: Satellites are designed with specific functions and objectives, often requiring precise alignment and calibration. Any damage incurred during transportation could compromise the satellite’s ability to perform its intended mission, potentially leading to mission failure or suboptimal performance.
- Financial Investment: Satellites represent substantial financial investments by governments, research institutions, or private companies. Damage caused by shocks can result in costly repairs, delays, or even the need to replace the satellite altogether. Monitoring shock helps protect these significant investments.
- Safety Considerations: Satellites can carry various types of payloads, including communication equipment, scientific instruments, and even propulsion systems. Ensuring the satellite’s structural integrity during transportation is essential to prevent the release of hazardous materials or potential safety hazards to personnel involved in handling or launching the satellite.
- Precision Requirements: Many satellite missions require extreme precision and accuracy. Slight misalignments or changes in internal components due to shock can disrupt this precision and compromise the satellite’s ability to achieve its mission objectives.
- Launch Vehicle Compatibility: Satellites need to be securely integrated into the launch vehicle, with precise positioning and alignment. Shock during transportation could affect this integration process, potentially causing delays or issues during launch vehicle integration.
- Operational Reliability: Satellites are often placed in orbits that are challenging to access or repair. Ensuring their structural integrity from assembly to launch pad reduces the risk of malfunctions or premature end-of-life due to transportation-related damage.
- Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, impose strict regulations on the transportation of space payloads to ensure safety and compliance. Monitoring shock is often a requirement to meet these standards.
ShockWatch RFID
ShockWatch RFID enables tracking of sensitive aerospace components, detecting and recording any instances of excessive shocks or vibrations that could potentially compromise the integrity of these critical parts. The SockWatch RFID – leveraging UHF RFID technology – can be read using handheld and stationary readers along the journey. Also, its visual indicator turns red once the G-force threshold has been breached. By delivering insights and actionable data, ShockWatch RFID empowers logistics professionals to make informed decisions, implement preventive measures, and optimize transportation processes, thereby ensuring that aerospace components reach their destinations in optimal condition, ready for integration and contributing to the overall success of aerospace missions.
ShockWatch RFID is available for sensitivity thresholds of 5G, 10G, 15G, 25G, 37G, 50G, 75G.
Contact our team today to implement ShockWatch RFID in your logistics structure.
ShockLog® 298
ShockLog® 298 monitors and records shock, vibration, and environmental conditions experienced by any type of equipment, whether in use, in transit, or in storage. With the capacity to record data for 870 events and 262,000-time slots, the device alerts you whenever damage may have occurred so you can respond promptly.
See how the ShockLog® 298 has helped various customers.
SpotBot® 4G Plus
Supply chain transparency is critical in running an effective operation. Track impact, temperature, humidity, and location with the latest generation of our SpotBot® 4G Plus.
Contact our Sales Team to learn more about the Global capabilities of the SpotBot® 4G Plus
