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Andrei Zagrai - Advisor
New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology

Experiment Overview
Plasma measurements using a space weather sensor & a microcontroller & structural experiment to investigate performance of piezoelectric & magneto elastic sensors as active elements of spacecraft structural health monitoring system.

Experiment Description

Pre-launch, in-flight, and post-flight characterization of piezoelectric sensors using impedance measurements run on LANL's WID3 boards.

Electro-mechanical impedance monitoring of spacecraft bolted joints - WID3 boards will be used to measure the electro-mechanical impedance of piezoelectric sensors positioned next to the bolted joint. The structural dynamic signature of the joint will allow distinction of nominal (35-50 ft-lbs) versus low (10-20 ft-lbs) torque on two structural bolts on specially designed beam specimens.

1. Sensors include (continued):
   1. Electro-mechanical impedance monitoring of a beam-like space structure with piezoelectric sensors installed using regular and Hysol® epoxies - the aim is to investigate the effect of a space environment on sensor adhesives
   2. Measurement of the canister's transient structural dynamic signature during launch - the magneto-elastic active sensor will be used to record this signature.

Experiment Goals

1. From these experiments, the team expects to:
   1. Determine the effect of a space environment on the characteristics of piezoelectric sensors.
   2. Select an appropriate adhesive for sensor installation
   3. Prove that structural health monitoring can be conducted in a space environment.

Analysis
In progress...