RF Electromagnetic Penetration of the Nasa Space Shuttle Endeavour Performed with an Ultra-Wideband System

This paper summarizes a joint NIST-NASA measurement effort to thoroughly evaluate the electromagnetic penetration of the shuttle Endeavour. NASA is concerned about the effects that microwave imaging radar systems might have on critical avionics systems on its fleet of space shuttles. As part of a multifaceted effort, a portable, NIST-developed ultra-wideband measurement system was deployed at the Kennedy Space Center to evaluate electromagnetic penetration over the frequency range of 30 MHZ - 6 GHz at selected locations inside Endeavour. The measurements were performed inside a large metal hangar, which exhibited robust reverberant behavior. A combination of reverb chamber techniques and time/frequency signal processing permitted the evaluation of electromagnetic penetration at six different locations inside the orbiter.