Accelerometers for the Space Industry

Many players in the space industry in Australia and New Zealand rely on HBK LDS vibration test systems, often called “shakers”. These shakers rely on accelerometers to measure induced vibrations and provide feedback to the controller.

But the use of accelerometers in the space industry goes beyond.

HBK product lines for accelerometers include the famous Danish brand Bruel & Kvaer, an historical pioneer in noise and vibration, and the very innovative California-based Dytran.

NVMS represents and supports both Bruel & Kvaer and Dytran, and therefore supplies and calibrates a very wide range of accelerometers.

The underlying technologies include piezoelectric (charge and IEPE/CCLD/ICP/Delta Tron) and Variable Capacitance MEMS.

Driven by NASA and SpaceX, specific models were developed for:

• Satellite Rocket & Capsule GVT and Modal Testing
• Structural Flight Testing & Engine Test Stand
• Hot Firing/Engine Test Stand Vibration
• High Shock Testing

Within the Dytran portfolio, operating temperature can be +583°C with charge accelerometers and -196°C with many IEPE, titanium, hermetically sealed triaxial and uniaxial accelerometers.

All integrate well with HBK many controllers and data acquisition systems (QuantumX, SomatXR, LAN-XI, Genesis, etc.) and external systems.

The quality of the supplied cables is second to none, and the accelerometers can be calibrated in Australia in our NATA-accredited calibration labs.

For a technical discussion on specific needs, please contact info@nvms.com.au

Author: Christian Ebel (MEng, MBA, MIEAust) – Business Manager, Test & Measurement

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