https://web.wpi.

edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-041911-
151144/unrestricted/CubeSat2_Final_Report_-_17APR11.pdf

WPI CubeSat

The propellant is air compressed to approximately. Compressed air was chosen because of its ease
of use, safety and cost. Compressed air was readily available in the on-campus laboratory where all
propulsion system testing will take place. Since the compressed air was a stock item in the
laboratory there was no impact on the project’s monetary budget. When handling compressed air,
neither protective equipment nor specialized equipment or materials are required. Since the
compressed air propellant was stored at a moderate pressure ( ~0.689Mpa or ~100psi) and
temperature ( 25 ) high pressure fittings and components were not necessary for the onboard
propulsion system or refueling system. The pressure inside the propellant tank is the maximum
provided to the solenoid valves. Pg 57

https://vibralign.com/resources/concepts/vibration-analysis/

This vibration can be measured, using a device called an

accelerometer.  An accelerometer generates a voltage signal,
proportional to the amount of vibration, as well as the frequency of
vibration, or how many time per second or minutes the vibration takes
place.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=2111&context=
smallsat

VACCO Test Procedures ETP-XV1E10718 and ETP-V1E10718 (cant seem to find anything on
this)
Outline of the test plan
Visual Inspection

- Looking, hearing, touching and smell with no specialized inspection equipment

Proof Pressure Test

- maximum pressure that may be applied to a device without changing its

performance within the specifications
External Leakage Test

- External is leakage from pressure inside the valve out to the atmosphere

Internal Leakage Test

Extended Applied Voltage Test
Coil Resistance Test (test on their valves)
Power Consumption
Dielectric Strength Test (not sure)

- Definition from wiki

o Of a pure insulating material, the maximum electric field that the material
can withstand under ideal conditions without breaking down (i.e. without
failure of its insulating properties).

Pull-In Voltage test (test on their valves)( link to operation of electromagnetic relays)
Thruster Response Test
Thrust Test
Minimum Impulse Bit Test (The minimum impulse bit (MIB) is a measure of the smallest
control torque that can be commanded to the satellite using the thruster.)

Leaking Test
Type of test
-pressure decay test
 fills a pressure vessel with air until it reaches its target pressure, cuts the air source to
isolate the pressure, and measures the decay (loss) of that pressure over a set period of
time; any loss in pressure indicates a leak
https://www.nolek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Pressure-Decay-Test-Method.pdf
Possible steps for the test https://www.setra.com/blog/how-to-conduct-a-pressure-decay-leak-
detection-test

Step 1Fill the test system with air

Step 2 Close valve
1) Read the instrument to see if pressure loss has occurred
Leak or proof test
It’s the same as above
Burst test (don’t viable for us as we don’t have money to print so many to test)
https://maximator-test.com/high-pressure-testing/burst-testing/

Burst testing is a type of destructive pressure test that is used to determine the absolute
maximum pressure at which a given component will “burst” or fail catastrophically when
pressurized under controlled conditions.
This test can be used to determine the pressure at which a component or assembly begins
to plastically deform and its ultimate tensile strength.
Purpose- can show a fundamental fault of the system and high leakage rates in specific
areas may be determined
Gasket improperly aligned
Valve connection misaligned or improperly threaded

Dye Penetrant Inspection or penetrant testing (for wielding) (http://welding-

inspectors.com/what-is-dye-penetrant-inspection/)

https://ndtsupply.com/penetrant/penetrant-test-kits.html ~$100

-low-cost inspection method used to check surface-breaking defects in all non-porous

materials
-used to detect casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks, surface
porosity, leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components
-Dip, spray, brush the dye afterwards use a UV light to see the crack.
Got 2 type one is just a dye the other is liquid (UV light)4

Step 1: Pre-clean the test piece

Step 2: Apply penetrant and allow to soak
Step 3: Rinse the test piece with water
Step 4: Apply developer

Radiographic testing ( to check wielding) https://www.inspection-for-

industry.com/radiographic-testing.html