SPACE HARDWARE TESTING
Space Hardware Testing
Experior Laboratories specializes in creating high-performing and demanding random and direct-field acoustic vibration, Pyroshock, thermal vacuum and accelerated life fast-ramp temperature tests associated with rocket launches and landings, stage separation events, payload deployments and in-orbit satellite and spacecraft operations. All these capabilities are performed in an ISO 8 / Class 100,000 cleanroom environment. Experior Labs has the capabilities and expertise to tackle any size test article and payload, ranging from components to sub-systems to large and heavy full size space craft, satellite, rocket engine, reflector, etc., in our 11,000 square foot dynamics testing facility that offers a 33 foot ceiling height and a 15 ton crane for easy installation and maneuvering of the test article.
As one of the leading independent test laboratories in North America, Experior Labs is recognized for its superior customer service, consistent on-time delivery, project management by experts and end-to-end accountability.
Test Standards
Vibration Testing
Experior Laboratories houses multiple state-of-the-art electrodynamic vibration testing systems that can handle the most demanding vibration and shock testing specifications.
For oversized and heavy payload vibration testing applications, Experior Labs’ vibration testing systems can be used in tandem to provide a combined 80,000 lbf for large articles. Such applications have included rocket engines, rocket stage separation actuators, satellites, orbital reflectors, electric vehicle batteries, railroad components and many more. Custom-made vibration testing fixtures and slip plates allow us to test parts of almost any shape and size.
Vibration Testing Capabilities
• Sine sweep Vibration Testing: >220 G pk
• Random Vibration Testing: >175 G rms
• Cleanroom Option Available
• Combined Environments: Vibration at hot and cold Temperatures
• Up to > 300 Channels of Vibration Testing Data Recording
• Time history data recording up to 200kHz
Applications
• Sine Sweep Vibration Testing
• Sine Dwell Vibration Testing
• Sine Burst Vibration Testing
• Random Vibration Testing
• Sine on Random Testing
• Random on Random Testing
• Windmilling•Vibration Testing
• Gunfire Vibration Testing
• Cargo & Transportation Vibration
Astrobotics Griffin Structural Test Model (STM)
Astrobotics Griffin Lunar Lander (STM)
High Performance Vibration Testing for Large and Heavy Test Articles
The newly installed system combines two test industry expert components, a new Unholtz Dickie T4000 vibration system and a TEAM T-Film Bearing slip table.
The TEAM T-Film bearings have several benefits overs standard oil film and linear bearings. The unique inverted T shape of TEAM bearings provides improved stiffness, load transfer and improved moment transfer to the reaction base. This minimizes slip plate deflection and cross axis vibration, as well as allows for test articles with a much higher overturning moment. The hydrostatic bearings have significantly increased load capability, meaning the table can accommodate much heavier test articles.
Acceleration Testing
The main advantage of the Sine Burst is that it is performed on a vibration system, the same vibration system that performs other tests such as random and/or sine sweep vibration and shock testing. Further, test article sizes can be much larger and heavier than in a Centrifuge. Performing all dynamic tests on the same vibration system reduces test costs and time.
Pyroshock
Experior Laboratories’ Kinetic Impact Pyroshock Simulation (KIPS) test systems are able to simulate near and midfield Pyroshock, experienced by components closest to a pyrotechnic event, using a high-speed impact to excite a tunable resonant beam. Adjusting the impact force, location and damping, this platform allows for highly customizable shock generation and the pneumatic systems allow for quick setup and reset.
Adjustable resonance allows boosting acceleration in only the desired frequency range. For shocks with a specified Te (event duration), adjustable muzzle velocity, impact mass, and custom damping materials allow us to customize shock duration while meeting acceleration requirements.
The KIPS test systems offer short transients, narrow differences between positive and negative SRS traces, and a uniform shock input that allows for near-equal measurements at multiple fixture mounting points.
Experior Labs has designed a wide variety of custom shock platforms and fixtures, and we’ve used frequency analysis software to identify mode shapes and resonant frequencies, which lets us prevent cross-axis acceleration and ensure that units are not over-tested.
Horizontal Shock System
Shaker Shock
Experior Laboratories performs SRS Shock testing with levels up to 5000 G on the T2000 Shakers, making Experior Labs the industry leader in SRS Shaker Shock. Most test labs cannot offer Shaker Shock testing above 500 – 1,000 G SRS due to risk of shaker armature damage.
Thermal Vacuum
Fast Ramp Temperature Testing
Experior Laboratories has several accelerated thermal chambers with high-flow blower motors and liquid nitrogen boost designed to transition temperature as quickly as possible, and are ideal for tests with demanding ramp rates.
Cryogenic
Temperature Testing
Experior Laboratories test facility can simulate extreme low cryogenic temperatures for aerospace, fiberoptic and electrical applications. Our cryogenic chambers have liquid nitrogen and liquid helium tanks piped in for rapid chilling and freezing temperatures.
Many space components require Cryogenics Testing for parts and instruments exposed to the extreme temperatures in rockets and orbit.
Direct-Field Acoustic Testing DFAT
Experior Laboratories, Inc and MSI-DFAT System partnered with the mutual goal of offering the most comprehensive overall service portfolio and generating substantial impact for strategic proposals. This partnership promises to provide a superior client experience to our customers within the Military, Aerospace and Space industries
EMI/EMC/HIRF
Experior Laboratories, Inc and DNB Engineering, Inc. are partnering with the mutual goal of offering the most comprehensive overall service portfolio and generating substantial impact for strategic proposals. The partnership promises to provide a superior client experience to our customers within the Aerospace, Military, Automotive, Telecommunication, and Medical industries.
Cleanroom Capacity
TOP PHOTO:
ISO 5 compliant Class 100 Laminar Flow Bench
Sensitive component assembly and verification work area
MIDDLE PHOTO:
11,000 square foot dynamics and
ISO 8 compliant Class 100,000 cleanroom facility
BOTTOM PHOTO:
ISO 8 compliant Class 100,000 portable cleanroom
Turning every work area into a clean work area
2022 CubeSat Developers Workshop
Experior Laboratories is proud to be a Gold Sponsor at this year’s CubeSat Developer Workshop at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, April 26-28th
2021 Cubesat Developers Workshop
Space Hardware Testing Presentation
2019 Space Tech Presentation
Propulsion Component Qualification and Acceptance Testing
2018 Space Tech Presentation
High G Vibration and Shock Capabilities for Space Applications
High G Vibration
ORION spacecraft connector and back shell assembly provided by HiRel Connectors and Kern Engineering
Shock Testing
Vibration & Shock Testing Expertise
Grace Beech
Grace Beech is one of the project engineers at Experior Laboratories, primarily focused in Dynamics. She is responsible for most of the vibration testing and shock testing performed at Experior Labs. Grace manages various aspects of the vibration testing lab, including fixture design and evaluation, program management, vibration testing capability evaluation, shaker troubleshooting and maintenance, and scheduling.
Grace joined Experior Laboratories in 2014. She brought with her prior engineering experience from her work with Zodiac Aerospace’s business class seating segment, and also from her time as a manufacturing engineer in the vibration testing department at TriSep Corporation. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Gerrit Lane
Gerrit Lane joined the Experior Laboratories engineering team in 2015 and has since overseen the successful completion of over 150 environmental test programs. Specializing in dynamics testing and applications, Gerrit has led the design of Experior Laboratories’ pyroshock simulation test system (KIPS), and has designed several custom suites of standard fixtures for vibration testing and shock testing applications.
Gerrit holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Kevin Sullivan
Kevin comes to Experior Laboratories with over thirty years’ experience in dynamic testing applications. During his career at Aerojet Rocketdyne he specialized in combined test environments including cryogenically conditioned and pressurized test articles associated with rocket engine components, and supported programs as diverse as the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, expendable rocket propulsion systems, and kinetic energy defense programs. Kevin holds a BSEE from the University of Wyoming.