Drive module MTM on the test bench
The body responsible for the qualification of the static component testing for the MTM drive module was the Spanish Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA).
The test method essentially simulates the envelope curve of the critical loads that act on the space platform during operation. On a multi-function test bench equipped with actuators, mechanical loads were applied to the main structure. The Spanish company EADS CASA Espacio was commissioned for this purpose.
Various sensors were placed at strategic positions around the structure: 202 strain gages, 24 displacement transducers and 8 inclinometers.
The displacement transducers were connected via CANHEAD® from HBM, the amplifier system for applications with distributed strain gages. The processing, measurement and monitoring of the data was implemented with the MGCplus data acquisition system from HBM.