Cassini Environmental Test and Analysis Program Summary

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the Cassini Project's environmental test and analysis program during thc spacecraft development phase - October 1989 to launch on October 1997. It describes the program's objectives and requirements, summarizes the approach used to achieve them, and provides the margins that were achieved in the final design. Assembly and system level environmental tests that were performed included dynamic, thermal, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and magnetic tests. Analysis was used to verify that the environmental requirements of radiation, solid particles including micrometeoroids, and single event effects have been satisfied. The environmental program implemented on Cassini satisfied the spirit and intent of the requirements imposed by the Project during the spacecraft's development. The lessons learned from the Cassini environmental program are discussed.