Computational and Experimental Analyses Defining Vibration Test Levels to Qualify Optical Solar Reflector for Space Use

An Optical Solar Reflector (OSR) was developed in Brazil as an alternative to be used in the thermal control subsystem of the program: China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellites (CBERS). The mechanical vibration is one of the mandatory tests for qualifying the OSR and its installation process. To perform mechanical vibration tests in the OSR, a structural dynamic analysis was made to estimate the vibration environment at the established attachment areas in the satellite. The finite element model of the satellite was used; applying to its base a random vibration excitation extracted from the CBERS 3 and 4 Environmental specification. The responses in the OSR installing areas were determined. These analyses results including a standard specification for electronic components were used to establish an envelope to qualify the OSR. The enveloped mechanical vibration environment was used in the OSR tests in the electromechanical shaker whose results showed the manufactured OSR can be included as an option to be used as a method of the satellite thermal control.