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PRODUCTS & SERVICES
orion prepares for space with
advanced data acquisition system
NASA’s Orion Crew Vehicle will transport
astronauts to the Moon and beyond with its
structural integrity proved using the most
advanced technology available
Space exploration is back. NASA has
revealed ambitious efforts to send
humans back to the Moon and
eventually to Mars. After a decades-long
hiatus, the USA’s on-orbit goals are unfolding
rapidly, requiring concerted efforts from
experts in a variety of industries. G Systems
is contributing to this effort by building
critical test systems to ensure the safety
of astronauts on these never-before
attempted missions.
Artemis is at the heart of NASA’s plans, the
program will bring astronauts, including the
first female, to previously unexplored places
on the lunar surface. Orion is the deep space
exploration vehicle that will transport the
crew and it demands perfection to support
the astronauts traveling hundreds of
thousands of miles from home. G Systems
has delivered three test systems to Orion’s
prime contractor, Lockheed Martin to address
the question: What effects will this spacecraft
experience during take-off, space flight, and
re-entry?
“In a situation like this, there are no second
tries; you only have one shot at success,”
says Mark Krause, vice president of sales
and marketing at G Systems. “We leveraged
our engineering expertise and our ability to
solve complex integrated challenges and
built a set of systems that work together in a
distributed fashion to successfully complete
the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle’s first
structural test.”
G Systems delivered a custom
pressurization and venting (P&V) System that
enables engineers to apply pressure inside
the cabin that emulates strain in
flight. A first-of-its kind data
acquisition system (DAS) was
developed in tandem that
synchronizes over 3,000
analog channels of data. In
addition, a data
distribution system
(DDS) was delivered for
real-time and post-test
distribution of
synchronized parametric,
video, and audio data.
To deliver this solution
within a tight time
frame, G Systems
has used hardware
and software
components that
enabled short
development cycles. For
instance, the P&V system contains a control
unit that can control pressure while
simultaneously monitoring for critical faults
or alarms. The system has touchscreen
capabilities along with a graphical user
interface that enables the operator to control
pressure from a remote location.
Similarly, both the DAS and the DDS
contain advanced functionality. Primarily
designed to measure strain, the heart of the
DAS system collects over 1,800 channels of
synchronized data and has the capability to
calculate several thousand more
synchronized, user-defined, virtual channels.
The system monitors alarm and limit levels
that may trigger a shutdown. The DDS’s job is
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to present data from the P&V System and the
DAS, as well as from 32 IP cameras and eight
microphones that are situated near the test
article to observe the test in
progress. GUIs are once again
used to view tests in progress
or retrieve past test data. These
three systems work together to
replicate real-world scenarios and
provided the capabilities needed
to complete those earlystage
structural tests.
All eyes are on Orion as it
gears up for its first manned
lunar mission in 2024. NASA
has awarded Lockheed Martin a
US$4.6 billion contract to purchase six
Orion capsules, with the option of purchasing
an additional six vehicles. Orion, along with
the Space Launch System by which it will be
transported, is the new symbol of deep
space exploration.
“Our goal as a company is to rapidly
deploy complex test systems that keep our
customers’ assets safe and mission ready,”
says Krause. “We are proud to have
contributed to this national effort and will
continue to support NASA during the
upcoming ground breaking missions.” \\
FREE READER INQUIRY SERVICE
g systems
1 // The Orion crew
module and test stand
2 // Orion’s pressurization
and vent system emulates
strain in flight
3 // Orion’s data
acquisition system
supports 3,000 analog
channels of data
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