Experimental Evaluation of a Large Grounded Hexagonal Damper and a Ferrite Isolated Data Link for SGEMP Testing

• Published in: IEEE transactions on nuclear science 1981-12, Vol.28 (6), p.4238-4249
• Main Authors: Seidler, W., Bryars, J., Tumolillo, T., Wondra, J., Keyser, R., Walters, D., Harper, H., Photinos, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerospace testing; Damping; Ferrites; Frequency; Optical fiber sensors; Optical fibers; Resonance; Satellites; Shock absorbers; System testing
• ISSN: 0018-9499; 1558-1578
• DOI: 10.1109/TNS.1981.4335707

A satellite exposed to an X-ray event on orbit experiences system-generated electromagnetic pulse (SGEMP) phenomena generated by photoelectric emission from system surfaces. On orbit the satellite would resonate and radiate a portion of the electromagnetic energy into space. Simulation of this event requires the satellite to be contained in a vacuum chamber and connected to the outside world through some type of data link. Both the vacuum chamber and the data link can perturb the satellite response. The energy portion normally radiated into space would be reflected back into the satellite by the chamber walls. An electromagnetic damper and a ferrite-isolated data link are used to minimize the perturbations. A description is presented of design development investigations and experimental evaluations of electromagnetic damping and satellite isolation for a system-level X-ray test geometry where the lowest test object resonance was below the lowest modes of the test chamber, a 7 x 12-m tank.