Response of the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) Instrument Under Shock Loading

Spacecraft components encounter mechanical shock from a variety of sources. Components must withstand a series of flight shock pulses, and must be designed and tested accordingly to ensure reliability. This paper presents simulation of the response of the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) instrument to the shock loading, during payload separation, using LS-DYNA® nonlinear finite element analysis software. Details of the model and simulation approach and the results obtained from that analysis are included in this paper. The mission science objective of the e-POP is to study plasma and atmospheric outflows in the polar region and the wave generation, particle interaction, and propagation associated with these outflows. The e-POP Instrument payload is a part of the "CASade, Smallsat and IOnospheric Polar Explorer" (CASSIOPE) mission. The CASSIOPE mission is a joint mission for the development and demonstration of key CASCADE technologies for future global bulk data delivery system, the development and demonstration of a generic SmallSAT Bus for future Canadian Space Agency (CSA) space missions.