Author: Robert J. NaumannPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Space vehicles
Languages : en
Pages : 52
Book Description
Several series of tests were conducted to establish the ballistic limit for the various Pegasus and Explorer XXIII detector panels. In these tests extremely small, carefully sized beads were launched in a velocity range that included the perforation threshold. By varying the size, a ballistic limit curve was established on a mass-velocity plot. Such curves were then extrapolated to average meteor velocity to obtain the characteristic mass for each sensor. Additional tests were conducted on the Pegasus panels using the Pegasus test tool, which contains the identical electronic circuitry used by the flight models. These tests included hot and cold tests, thermal cycling after impact, oblique impacts, etc. Several types of anomalous events noted in the operation of the spacecraft could be simulated in this manner. Some indication of the dependence of detection threshold upon size was obtained, and the implications of these tests in the analysis of the results will be discussed.