A passive launch and on-orbit vibration isolation system for the spaceborne cryocooler

To enhance the pointing performance by isolating disturbances induced by a spaceborne payload mounted cryogenic cooler during the on-orbit operation, a passive launch and on-orbit vibration isolation system has been proposed and investigated. The isolation system is also effective for reducing the transmitted launch loads to the cooler. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the isolation system, launch environment tests such as sine, random and shock tests and a micro-vibration measurement test of the cooler combined with the isolator have been performed. The test results indicate that the isolation system guarantees both the structural safety of the cooler under the launch environment and the micro-vibration isolation of the cooler under the on-orbit condition. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.