A spacecraft in space.

Simcenter

Acoustic environmental testing

Safely test-validate hardware to guarantee launch survivability.

Why is spacecraft acoustic testing necessary?

Spacecraft acoustic testing is required prior to launch to understand whether the vulnerable spacecraft can survive the intense broadband random acoustic loads under the fairing during launch and liftoff. Our spacecraft acoustic testing solution operates in reverberation rooms and direct field environments. Its innovative closed-loop controller provides spatial uniformity of sound pressure level with additional control of overall sound pressure level responses.

To ensure the highest security of the valuable cargo, several security layers are integrated to prevent over-testing: at individual microphones, on overall sound pressure levels, and at structural responses, including specimen vibration and strain response level protection. Throughput recording on all channels and extensive data documentation capabilities are included for traceability and reporting purposes.

Our test solutions fully support NASA, European Space Administration (ESA), and international spacecraft testing standards and are American National Standards Institute (ANSI) compliant for the octave-filtering acquisition process.

Spacecraft acoustic testing

Learn about closed-loop control solutions for operation in reverberation rooms and direct-field environments.

Acoustic environmental testing capabilities

Direct field acoustic noise testing (DFAN)

DFAN testing has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional reverberant acoustic testing due to its inherent advantages of reduced cost and schedule. Our innovative multiple-input multiple-output random control for DFAN tests provides a narrow-band closed-loop control solution to replicate the acoustic launch conditions with loudspeakers in any environment with extremely high output and exceptional field uniformity. Innovative pretest analysis assists the user in defining the optimal narrow-band control parameters to ensure a safe, time- and energy-efficient workflow.

Simcenter direct field acoustic noise (DFAN) testing setup.

Direct field acoustic noise testing as a service

DFAN testing as a service helps companies overcome the main challenge with DFAN, which is the variability in test setup and configurations (how many speakers, what configuration, how many control microphones and other things). Incorporating both test and simulation, our services team provides and manages all aspects of DFAN testing, such as hardware setup, closed-loop control and data acquisition and analysis. Additionally, performing these tests as a service frees up valuable engineering time for aerospace companies.

Simcenter direct field acoustic noise (DFAN) testing setup.

Reverberant field acoustic noise testing (RFAN)

Our closed-loop acoustic control solution is designed to control the acoustic level and shape in reverberant rooms perfectly. It implements a robust proportional-integral control algorithm based on parameters that can be measured during setup with standard microphones and ensure spatial uniformity of the sound pressure level in the third or full octave bands within tight tolerances. It meets the most stringent safety and tolerance requirements used in the aerospace industry to enable maximum spacecraft protection.

Engineers preparing for reverberant field acoustic testing with Simcenter acoustic control on PROBA V STM l.
Case study

Thales Alenia Space

A leading European space satellite and payloads manufacturer partners with Siemens to explore new methods for satellite testing.

Thales Alenia Space partners with Siemens to explore new tools and methods for acoustic testing in the space industry
Case Study

Thales Alenia Space partners with Siemens to explore new tools and methods for acoustic testing in the space industry

Company:Thales Alenia Space

Industry:Aerospace & defense

Location:Toulouse, France

Siemens Software:Simcenter 3D Solutions, Simcenter Testing Solutions