DebriSat Fragment Characterization: Quality Assurance

Abstract The DebriSat project is a joint NASA and DoD project to generate data to update orbital debris models. The DebriSat test article, designed and fabricated to be representative of a modern-day LEO satellite, was subjected to a laboratory hypervelocity impact (HVI) test to emulate a catastrophic on orbit event. The items generated from the HVI test were collected and transported to the University of Florida for debris fragment extraction and characterization. During the characterization process, fragments are qualitatively (material, shape, color) and quantitatively (mass and size) assessed. The quantitative assessments are performed on mass balances and imaging systems by a student technicians that vary during the academic year. To ensure quality data and system operation by a group of varying technicians, a series of modified Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R) testing methods were created and implemented. This paper summarizes the DebriSat post-HVI activities and discusses the Gage R&R testing methods implemented to ensure high quality quantitative data.