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Space Rider’s smart ALEK passes bumpy, noisy, shocking testing

Written by  Thursday, 10 April 2025 10:29
Space Rider's ALEK in accoustic chamber
ALEK on Vega fourth stage model for final test
ALEK on Vega fourth stage model for final test

Once shaken, the ALEK was moved to the largest acoustic chamber in Europe, capable of reproducing the deafening roar of a rocket launch. Here the loudspeakers were turned up to the max and the structure held its own while being bombarded with loud rumbles and noise.

ALEK's last challenge was a shock test, checking the service module would hold it together when it separates from the Vega-C rocket that propels it to orbit. For this test, Alek was placed on top of a model of the fourth stage of Vega-C, equipped to simulate some of the shocks that are generated by the rocket on ascent, verifying how the shocks are transferred through the structure. The shock test was performed in the same acoustic chamber.


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