Space Acceleration Measurement Systems

Abstract

The Space Acceleration Measurement Systems (SAMS) Project develops and deploys the measurement systems for the Acceleration Measurement Program (AMP). At this time there are two types of measurement systems available, quasi-steady and vibratory. Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) and Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System (MAMS) are the current quasi-steady systems available. OARE has flown numerous times supporting STS missions. MAMS has been delivered to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for its deployment on the International Space Station (ISS). Vibratory measurements have been made and will be made by the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS-I) Generation I, Space Acceleration Measurement System Generation II (SAMS-II), and Space Acceleration Measurement System Free Flyer or Generation III (SAMS-FF). SAMS-I supported 21 STS missions and has been retired. SAMS-II will be delivered to KSC to support ISS-6A launch (currently April 19, 2001). SAMS-FF has replaced SAMS-I in support of STS missions and has been deployed on sounding rockets, the KC-135 and ground facilities. SAMS-FF hardware shall be deployed on ISS in the future to provide a more compact solution.