Active Acoustic Launch Load Alleviation

Launch loads are the prime driver for spacecraft structural design. Reduction of these loads allows the opportunity to use more off-the-shelf and lighter weight components in the spacecraft, thereby reducing costs. While payload isolation is a fairly well developed field, acoustic load alleviation has not received much attention. Several steps are required to alleviate acoustic launch loads: 1. Understand and develop models of the interaction of the payload, enclosing fairing, and enclosed and external acoustics. 2. Develop distributed actuators and sensors that allow modification of the enclosed acoustic field. 3. Formulate control laws which make use of the developed models, sensors, and actuators to significantly reduce acoustic loads transmitted to the payload. The Active Acoustic Launch Load Alleviation team is pursuing each of these goals.