Guidelines for Flight Hardware Shock Qualification Test and Prediction

The space industry employs various shock simulation systems to qualify flight hardware for shock environments, with each system offering specific advantages and areas of applicability. The effectiveness of these systems depends on the test conductors’ understanding of the shock signatures each system produces. Ad-hoc practices within the community have raised concerns regarding the correctness and appropriateness of flight hardware qualification. Additionally, challenges remain in accurately predicting shock responses across a wide frequency range, from low tens of Hz up to 10,000 Hz or higher. This report recommends steps for effectively testing flight hardware and suggests approaches to mitigate unnecessary failures during shock qualification tests. It also addresses the challenges in shock response prediction and includes a dedicated section on recommended practices for shock prediction.