The Vibration Test Laboratory (VTL)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is America’s civil space program and the global leader in space exploration. The agency has a diverse workforce of just under 18,000 civil servants, and works with many more U.S. contractors, academia, and international and commercial partners to explore, discover, and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
Overview
The Vibration Test Laboratory (VTL) provides testing of articles that includes sinusoidal, random, shock, classic (half sine, saw tooth, etc.) shock response spectrum (SRS), imported pulse, superimposed – random on random and sine on random, gunfire and sine burst. The lab provides closed loop vibration test systems typically consisting of electrodynamic shakers, instrumentation, signal conditioning, a controller and amplifier. Video documentation, high speed data and synchronized multiplexed test records provided. Provides acceptance and qualification testing of GSE, flight hardware, small satellites, experiments, cargo, and ISS spares and upgrades. Work is performed in support of multi-program launch vehicle and payload processing operational activities, CxP design/fabrication activities and external customer support. Testing also includes R&D experiments supporting analytical model correlation and engineering evaluation using Correlated Solutions VIC-3D Digital Image Correlation Measurement System and High Speed Data Aquisition Systems. Recent laboratory upgrades include capabilities for extreme launch environments (55,000 lbf with 3” pk-pk) and simulated pyro shock (3750g SRS to 10kHz).
