Roid Rage Shake the Crap Out of It (It's a Technical Term)
Jan 15, 2026
Join Jack, Ashton, and Holly as they dive into the chaos of vibration testing for spacecraft. Discover how they use vibration data to refine simulations and avoid QA disasters like those from Astra Rocket 3. They explore the quirky world of space law, testing logistics, and the surprising results of solar panel tests. Ashton recounts tales of a shake table gone wild while discussing the importance of load paths. Plus, find out what surprised them about test outcomes and their plans for redesigns and future tests!
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Mock-Up Vibe Test Teaches Real Lessons
- AstroForge brought a full mock-up of Deep Space 2 to Experior Labs to run launch-profile vibration tests.
- The team used mass dummies and separate solar-array breakout tests to avoid risking flight hardware while learning quickly.
Use Vibe Data To Improve Simulations
- Vibration test data can be used to correlate and refine simulation models for higher fidelity.
- Holly explained that measured anomalies guide model updates to better match real behavior.
Launch Providers' Main Concern
- Launch providers primarily care that payloads won't break the rocket or cause catastrophic failures.
- Post-separation performance (like solar deployment) is the payload team's responsibility, not the launch provider's.