Shield to Pin Coupling of Lightning-Like Transients on Payload Umbilical Cables on a Launch Pad

In this paper we describe in-situ testing of a long payload umbilical, on a launch site, injected with “lightning- like” transients and describe resulting pin-to-pin voltages. Injections and voltage measurements near the ground support equipment room, as well as at a location near the payload junction box, are made. The umbilical cables tested include an outer over-braid and the inner conductor coupling is examined for open circuit, short-circuit and various loads representative of spacecraft input impedances. This testing is important because the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) where the lightning occurrence is the highest in the United States, is the primary launch site for Launch Services Program spacecraft customers. Lightning planning is essential but developing a lightning plan is often overlooked or not adequately analyzed leaving the spacecraft vulnerable to time delays or even damage when lightning occurs. At other popular launch sites like Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) where lightning occurs less often, although at the same or greater intensity when it does occur, lightning planning is often completely ignored by the spacecraft. The two major questions to be addressed in the lightning plan are what retesting should be done to establish a “goodness” level and what is the trigger criteria for this testing? The spacecraft will typically use a standard spacecraft check-out procedure to address the necessary retesting, but determining the trigger criteria is often an issue. For instance, a spacecraft needs to understand what their immunity is to a certain lightning magnitude and location. Determining the amount of current that can be coupled onto a spacecraft umbilical can be calculated by using worst case assumptions or measured with current probes and current measurement devices. Spacecraft can also determine what pin-to-pin voltages they are sensitive to, however pin-to-pin voltage measurements are not typically taken during the strike due to the invasive nature of this measurement. In this paper, we present detailed data on the shield to pin voltage transfer functions to provide insight to the spacecraft developers for lightning retest criteria planning. The results from this unique testing opportunity provide essential details on specific coupling mechanisms affecting spacecraft hardware that interfaces with the ground support equipment. This missing link between cable shield currents and payload susceptibility voltages has been methodically tested and representative data presented.