Estimation of separation shock of the Marman clamp system by using a simple band-mass model

Abstract

To prevent satellite failure during inter stage separation, the magnitude of separation shock must be estimated. The Marman Clamp System is a separation joint often used to mount satellites on a launch vehicle. This paper proposes a method of estimating separation shock for the Marman Clamp System. First, experimental results are discussed and the dominant parameters of separation shock are identified for the system. Next, a simple band-mass model is proposed to estimate the system's separation shock. The differences between the model and experimental results are discussed. Radial and axial, but not tangential, separation shocks were estimated well by this method.