Dr Brian Le Page, Materials and Testing Functional Manager and David Costello CEng, Head of Mechanical and Propulsion, Surrey Satellite Technology

Session Outline: How do you verify in orbit shock sources for sub systems and satellites in a 1g environment.  Traditional shock testing of a system is a balance between being able to demonstrate the in orbit levels without over testing due to the limitations of ground test setups that can result in unnecessary failure, redesign and schedule impacts for a project.  This presentation will include the technical challenges of idealising shock sources in the space industry and how SSTL successfully perform spacecraft and sub system testing.

A little bit about Brian…

Brian graduated with an honours degree in Metallurgy in 1988 and PhD in the area of  Construction Materials in 1996 from the University of Surrey.  He worked there as a Research Fellow in several Departments concerned with the testing of materials.  He managed the Composites and Materials Testing Laboratories in the School of Engineering.  Brian moved to SSTL in 2007 where he is now the Functional Manager for Materials and Mechanical Testing.

A little bit about David…

David graduated from the University of Exeter with 1^st Class Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2005.  He started working at SSTL in 2007 as a Lead Mechanical Analyst for spacecraft structures and is now the Head of Mechanical and Propulsion.