Impact detection onboard satellites using wireless sensor network
- Paper number
IAC-08.C2.6.4
- Author
Dr. Frank K. Schaefer, Fraunhofer, Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Germany
- Year
2008
- Abstract
A prototype wireless sensor network for monitoring of hypervelocity impacts from meteoroids and space debris autonomous onboard satellites has been developed. The prototype sensor network consists of four wireless sensor nodes, which are currently equipped with two sensors: a temperature sensor and an acceleration sensor. Principally, other sensors can be integrated into each sensor node. Each sensor node transmits data to an on-board receiving station, where the data are further evaluated. In the present configuration, the sensor nodes are attached to the outer spacecraft structure wall (space-facing). Impact detection systems could be particularly useful for the analysis of spacecraft anomalies or spacecraft/subsystem failures. In this case it is important to understand whether the failure was the cause of an impact, where the impact has occurred and if the impact has critically loaded or damaged components of the satellite. This detection system needs to be wireless to allow easy integration into satellites also at a late phase of the project. In this paper, the first results obtained from application of this wireless sensor network to realistic spacecraft structure models are presented. Hypervelocity impact tests were performed on an extended satellite sandwich panel. Data were acquired from the impact through the wireless sensor network, that were used to determine the impact location. These data were also used to correlate the acquired data with the impact parameters (kinetic energy and momentum of the impactor).
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.C2.6.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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