Impact Tests to Evaluate Packaging of COTS Electronics for a Canadian Micropenetrator Concept.
- Paper number
IAC-09.A3.6.11
- Author
Mr. Dave Grove, Carleton University, Canada
- Coauthor
Prof. Alex Ellery, Carleton University, Canada
- Year
2009
- Abstract
Kinetic penetrators have been developed as a modest-cost tool for in-situ surface and sub-surface planetary exploration. Implemented as deployable instruments onboard planetary orbiter missions, penetrators can enhance the scientific return from a mission without the high cost of a complete lander. Previous penetrator concepts (e.g. Mars ’96, DS2 microprobes, Lunar-A) were developed for specific mission scenarios/planetary targets, and each utilized unique mechanisms for deceleration and impact mitigation. We propose a generic micropenetrator concept whereby the core components (propulsion, EDL, electronics) would be designed with a modular approach, allowing the overall concept to accommodate a wide range of mission scenarios. In particular, the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic components (microcontrollers and FPGAs) to handle attitude control, communications and data handling, etc., is proposed to reduce overall design time and cost. However, due to the violent nature of penetrator emplacement, effective techniques for impact mitigation will be crucial to the survivability of COTS components. We are currently performing impact tests to evaluate the effectiveness of various packaging materials and techniques to protect COTS electronics from the impact loads associated with penetrator emplacement. A small scale penetrator ($<$ 5 kg), housing accelerometers and a packaged electronics testbed, is accelerated to between 50 and 200 m/s into sand and soil targets. Penetration depths of between 0.5 and 1.5 m are predicted to produce impact loads of 500 to 10,000 g’s. Electronics functionality before and after impact is measured to evaluate both the effectiveness of the packaging material/structure and, where necessary, attempt to identify the type of failure experienced. The following paper describes the results of the impact tests conducted and summarizes the effectiveness of each package type to mitigate impact loads. Lessons learned during testing, including instrumentation and operation, target penetrability, and packaging fabrication and implementation are discussed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)