Jet Propulsion Laboratories

 
Electromagnetic Effects Engineering | Natural Space Environment Engineering | Point of Contact | Quality Assurance Engineering | Reliability Engineering | Risk Management | Thermal Engineering

Spacecraft Hardware Engineering Design & Analysis

The Spacecraft Engineering Technology Department of Northrop Grumman has maintained a 20-year partnership with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Since 1983, a Northrop Grumman team of engineers and scientists has provided reliability and space environment analysis support services to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. One of the world's premier research centers, JPL is the lead NASA organization for the unmanned exploration of the solar system. Its continuing mission: expanding the frontiers of space to enrich our knowledge and benefit humanity.

With over 6 million pounds of thrust applied by the Space Shuttle engine and boosters, most of the shock and vibration hazard to NASA scientific payloads occurs in the first 6 seconds after liftoff. Once in orbit, reaction wheels, gyros, and stepper motors must be isolated to prevent interference with the operation of sensitive instruments.

In our support role, Northrop Grumman has helped define the payload dynamics for various launch vehicles, including the Space Shuttle, Arianne, Titan, Pegasus, and Delta. For Mars Pathfinder, Cassini, Galileo, Mars Observer, NASA Scatterometer, Topex and others, we generated dynamics test plans and defined the dynamic test requirements to assure the reliability and quality of the spacecraft. Our test planning capabilities include use of the latest force limiting dual control techniques to minimize over-testing.

For JPL's highly successful Mars Pathfinder mission, Northrop Grumman staff assisted in the parachute drop test, helped to solve problems with vibration of the propulsion thrusters and unstable burn of the retrorocket, and supported firing tests of the pyrotechnic devices that separated the lander from the spacecraft during descent. These contributions affected the ability of Mars Pathfinder to decelerate upon entry to the Martian atmosphere and bounce to a landing in Ares Vallis without crashing.

In partnership with JPL, Northrop Grumman has demonstrated its ability to help meet new dynamics design challenges like the Cassini mission to Saturn and its largest moon, Titan. During the 20,000 seconds of Cassini main engine thrust, variations in operating conditions can cause the engine to "chug." Northrop Grumman staff evaluated the potential effects of this vibration upon sensitive spacecraft hardware. Also, low-level vibration caused by Cassini's large reaction wheels can affect accurate spacecraft pointing. The impact of this Cassini "microphonics" on the collection of imagery was determined to be acceptable.

Electromagnetic Effects Engineering

Electromagnetic interference and contamination (EMI/EMC) is a concern in spacecraft where different subsystems are simultaneously transmitting and receiving signals independently. Northrop Grumman has successfully reviewed EMI/EMC design and test criteria.

Natural Space Environment Engineering

Northrop Grumman has assembled the expertise to study the exotic space environments that interplanetary spacecraft must survive. Our engineers and physicists have performed radiation, meteoroid, man-made debris, and atmospheric modeling and predictions.

Point of Contact

The Spacecraft Engineering Technology Department also supports the System Engineering Revitalization program at the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center. Current activities include drafting a new Air Force reliability standard for application to space system acquisitions.

Quality Assurance Engineering

Northrop Grumman has supported quality inspection, test monitoring, and supplier audits for JPL flight projects. This includes verification of compliance with JPL QA policies and procedures. For example, we monitored integration and test activities for the JPL Mars Exploration Rover project.

Reliability Engineering

Northrop Grumman is well versed in the techniques for ameliorating hardware design defects and has provided this type of support of most post-Voyager JPL projects.

Risk Management

Our staff supports JPL efforts to mitigate the high risks of developing and operating one-of-a-kind interplanetary exploration missions. Our support staff has received training in Active Risk Manager and in the SAPHIRE risk assessment tool, and we are actively engaged in preparing spaceflight project Significant Risk Lists, assigning risk ratings, and preparing mitigation plans.

Thermal Engineering

Northrop Grumman IT personnel supported the analysis and review of extraordinary Magellan design measures to keep sensitive instruments and electronics within their operating temperature range while outside surfaces endure the extremes of space travel.