Using the Dynamic Environment Simulator for equipment testing

The Dynamic Environment Simulator (DES), a man-rated centrifuge, has many features that may be utilized to support flight equipment development and testing. The robust design of the DES provides potential users with opportunities to expose test hardware to sustained or complex dynamic G environments in a ground-based facility. The DES is capable of operating for extended periods of time at elevated G, with digital control of the magnitude and direction of the resultant G vector. Appropriate use of the DES may complement or replace flight testing, with significant reductions in risk and program cost. The DES facility is supported by a wide variety of technical personnel, allowing each test program to be tailored to specific customer needs. The DES may also be modified as needed to meet unique or difficult test program requirements. Excess hydraulic and electrical power available may be tapped in various ways to satisfy specific experimental requirements. The potential user also has the option of using standard G profiles, or applying the DES computer facilities to generate a set of simulated flight profiles meeting specific experimental needs. As a man-rated system, the DES may be used for unusual or complex human experiments which cannot be carried during a normal flight test program. Temporary DES system modifications were made and specialized control software was prepared in support of the development of state-of-the-art flight hardware. This paper uses this test program to illustrate the major issues to be addressed when using the DES, with emphasis upon support equipment design and interface to the DES system