"Measuring Mass Properties of the Brilliant Pebbles Satellite"

By

Boynton, R. (1993)
52nd Annual Conference of the Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc.
Biloxi, Mississippi, 23-26 May 1993.

Abstract:

Small kinetic energy "Kill Vehicle" satellites have very limited fuel capacity and consequently have tight mass properties specifications. To further complicate the measurement problem, these satellites do not have precision hard points or a smooth outer surface. This paper includes a brief overview of the Brilliant Pebbles program, with a discussion of the unclassified aspects of the flight. Then I present the very complex measurement sequence which I was forced to use. Fixturing error is minimized by mounting the satellite in a precision cylindrical cage, determining its position in the cage using a coordinate measuring machine, and finally using a work reversal concept to eliminate the effects of fixture misalignment.

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