4.4 Mechanism Design and Verification of Lunar Lander
139
The major purpose of connection function test was to examine the connection
function between the lunar rover and the lander under the launch load and landing
impact load, which was generally verified in the mechanical environmental test and
landing impact test of the lander.
The major purpose of separation/lift function test was to verify the release function
of separation mechanism after experiencing the launch and landing impact environment, and to verify the lift height after the lunar rover was released. It was important
that the 1/6 g gravity environment on lunar surface shall be simulated in the test.
For the Chang’E-3 lunar rover separation mechanism, its auxiliary function such
as the lunar rover guidance was verified in the release and deployment test for the
lunar rover.
2) Environmental tests
There were mechanical and thermal test in the environmental tests for the lunar rover
separation mechanism. The specific test items should be determined according to the
mission environment profile of the lunar rover separation mechanism. The Chang’E3 lunar rover separation mechanism experienced complex mechanical environments
including launch and landing, as well as extremely high temperature on lunar surface.
During development of the Chang’E-3 lunar lander, the lunar rover separation mechanism was qualified by mechanical environment and landing impact environment
with the lunar lander. In addition, critical extreme high (low) temperature environmental tests were conducted for key components such as pyrotechnics separation
nuts, pyrotechnics cutters and lift mechanism.
(1) Mechanical environmental test for the lunar lander
During development of the Chang’E-3, the lunar rover separation mechanism was
qualified by qualification mechanical tests including sinusoidal vibration, random
vibration, noise and landing impact. After mechanical environmental tests, the function of release, lift and guidance of the lunar separation mechanism was tested and
it passed.
(2) Environmental test verification of extreme high temperature on lunar surface
The environmental test verification of extremely high temperature of the Chang’E-3
lunar rover separation mechanism was conducted only for the key components which
were sensitive to temperature environment, such as pyrotechnics and lift mechanism. For example, the performance and reliability verification of pyrotechnics under
extremely high temperature environment are briefly introduced here.
The most sensitive parts of the pyrotechnics to high temperature environment were
the pyrotechnic composition. Under the high temperature environment, the physical
stability and chemical stability of the pyrotechnic composition wouldbe instable to
some degree, which would affect the work of the pyrotechnics reliability. In order
to verify the effect of extreme high temperature environment on the reliability of a
pyrotechnic device on lunar surface, the following test verification was conducted
on the pyrotechnic device:
139
The major purpose of connection function test was to examine the connection
function between the lunar rover and the lander under the launch load and landing
impact load, which was generally verified in the mechanical environmental test and
landing impact test of the lander.
The major purpose of separation/lift function test was to verify the release function
of separation mechanism after experiencing the launch and landing impact environment, and to verify the lift height after the lunar rover was released. It was important
that the 1/6 g gravity environment on lunar surface shall be simulated in the test.
For the Chang’E-3 lunar rover separation mechanism, its auxiliary function such
as the lunar rover guidance was verified in the release and deployment test for the
lunar rover.
2) Environmental tests
There were mechanical and thermal test in the environmental tests for the lunar rover
separation mechanism. The specific test items should be determined according to the
mission environment profile of the lunar rover separation mechanism. The Chang’E3 lunar rover separation mechanism experienced complex mechanical environments
including launch and landing, as well as extremely high temperature on lunar surface.
During development of the Chang’E-3 lunar lander, the lunar rover separation mechanism was qualified by mechanical environment and landing impact environment
with the lunar lander. In addition, critical extreme high (low) temperature environmental tests were conducted for key components such as pyrotechnics separation
nuts, pyrotechnics cutters and lift mechanism.
(1) Mechanical environmental test for the lunar lander
During development of the Chang’E-3, the lunar rover separation mechanism was
qualified by qualification mechanical tests including sinusoidal vibration, random
vibration, noise and landing impact. After mechanical environmental tests, the function of release, lift and guidance of the lunar separation mechanism was tested and
it passed.
(2) Environmental test verification of extreme high temperature on lunar surface
The environmental test verification of extremely high temperature of the Chang’E-3
lunar rover separation mechanism was conducted only for the key components which
were sensitive to temperature environment, such as pyrotechnics and lift mechanism. For example, the performance and reliability verification of pyrotechnics under
extremely high temperature environment are briefly introduced here.
The most sensitive parts of the pyrotechnics to high temperature environment were
the pyrotechnic composition. Under the high temperature environment, the physical
stability and chemical stability of the pyrotechnic composition wouldbe instable to
some degree, which would affect the work of the pyrotechnics reliability. In order
to verify the effect of extreme high temperature environment on the reliability of a
pyrotechnic device on lunar surface, the following test verification was conducted
on the pyrotechnic device: