Satellite & Launch Platforms

Satellite Ground Qualification Testing

Before a payload flies, every RF interface on it has to prove it will survive the launch and keep working in vacuum. Mechanc supplies the test-grade connectors, adapters and phase-stable assemblies that qualification campaigns are built on — and the measured data that goes into the acceptance package.

Thermal-Vacuum

Random Vibration

Pyroshock

PIM & Insertion Loss

EMC / EMI

1E-6 Torr

Vacuum Level

20 g RMS

Random Vibration

1,500 g

Pyroshock Peak

How It Works

The Qualification Sequence

A typical space-hardware qualification runs in five stages. Interfaces that fail at any stage go back to design rather than forward to integration.

Stage 01

Bake-Out & Outgassing Screening

Materials are screened to ASTM E595 before assembly — total mass loss under 1.0 % and collected volatile condensable material under 0.1 %. Non-compliant platings and dielectrics are rejected here rather than at integration, where a swap costs weeks.

Stage 02

Thermal-Vacuum Cycling

Assemblies cycle between -65 °C and +165 °C at 1E-6 Torr while insertion loss and VSWR are logged continuously. Phase-stable cable assemblies are monitored for phase drift across the full range, not just at the end points.

Stage 03

Random Vibration & Sine Sweep

Three-axis random vibration to 20 g RMS, with a sine sweep either side to catch resonance shifts. Connector retention, contact resistance and shielding effectiveness are re-verified after each axis.

Stage 04

Pyroshock & Separation

Stage-separation and deployment events are simulated to 1,500 g. Blind-mate SMP and SSMP interfaces are checked for continuity through the shock event and for correct re-mating afterwards.

Stage 05

RF Verification & Data Package

Final VNA sweeps, PIM measurement and visual inspection against the programme acceptance limits. Every unit ships with its own measured data, material certificates and lot traceability.

Reference Data

Typical Qualification Parameters

Acceptance limits are set by the programme, not by us — the values below are the conditions these tests are usually run to. Send us your qualification spec and we will test to it and return the measured data.

Test	Reference Standard	Typical Condition	Acceptance
Outgassing	ASTM E595	125 °C / 24 h / 1E-6 Torr	TML ≤ 1.0 %, CVCM ≤ 0.1 %
Thermal-vacuum cycling	MIL-STD-1540	-65 °C to +165 °C at 1E-6 Torr	No VSWR shift beyond programme limit
Random vibration	MIL-STD-202 Method 214	20 g RMS, 3 axes	No electrical discontinuity
Mechanical shock	MIL-STD-202 Method 213	1,500 g, 0.5 ms half-sine	Contact resistance stable
Insertion loss	IEC 61169	DC to 50 GHz	Per series datasheet
Passive intermodulation	IEC 62037	Two-carrier test	Low-PIM series only

Our Role

What We Supply for Qualification Campaigns

Test-Grade Interfaces

Precision 2.92mm, 2.4mm and 1.85mm connectors with NMD and VNA-grade adapters that mate repeatably to metrology tolerances. The interface is what makes a qualification measurement trustworthy.

Custom Test Harnesses

Phase-stable and semi-rigid assemblies built to your chamber geometry, including feedthrough-to-DUT runs sized for the thermal-vacuum envelope. Prototype quantities from our own factory.

Documentation & Traceability

Measured data per unit, material and plating certificates, and lot traceability formatted to drop into your qualification data package. ISO 9001 and RoHS as standard.

Selected Products

Interfaces for Qualification Campaigns

A starting point rather than the whole catalogue — these are the parts most often specified for thermal-vacuum, vibration and RF acceptance work. Tell us the test setup and we will quote the exact configuration.

Satellite Ground Qualification Testing

The Qualification Sequence

Typical Qualification Parameters

What We Supply for Qualification Campaigns

Interfaces for Qualification Campaigns

1.0mm Male to 1.0mm Male Phase Stable Precision Test RF Cable Assembly – Use CFT150P Coax

Phase-Stable 110GHz Ruggedized Precision Test Coaxial Cable FEP Jacket – Model CFT150

NMD1.85 Female to NMD1.85 Male RF Adapter

NMD2.4 Female to NMD2.92 Female RF Adapter

Send Us Your Qualification Spec

Satellite Ground Qualification Testing

The Qualification Sequence

Typical Qualification Parameters

What We Supply for Qualification Campaigns

Interfaces for Qualification Campaigns

1.0mm Male to 1.0mm Male Phase Stable Precision Test RF Cable Assembly – Use CFT150P Coax

Phase-Stable 110GHz Ruggedized Precision Test Coaxial Cable FEP Jacket – Model CFT150

NMD1.85 Female to NMD1.85 Male RF Adapter

NMD2.4 Female to NMD2.92 Female RF Adapter

More in Satellite & Launch Platforms

Send Us Your Qualification Spec