Test approaches for the mechanical qualification of the small satellite BIRD

Abstract

The BIRD mission was designed by the German Aerospace Center for hot spot detection and the measurement of vegetation conditions. To keep the instruments in accurate calibration, high demands were required to the structure. For this reason, a structure development was needed for the BIRD qualification. The test requirements for the qualification were adapted from KOSMOS specifications first, than from PSLV specifications. For more flight like tests, a dynamic analysis of the flight configuration for BIRD was performed; in consequence, the qualification levels could be reduced. BIRD passed all mechanical qualification tests successful.