Implementation of a Whole Spacecraft Isolation System for the OSTM/Jason 2 Mission

The OSTM/Jason 2 mission will be the lightest payload to ever launch on a 2-stage Delta II 7320-10 launch vehicle. The moment-based lateral loads predicted for this launch configuration significantly exceed the qualification history of the inherited spacecraft bus. Additionally, payload sine vibration requirements for this launch configuration exceed the OSTM/Jason 2 spacecraft and equipment sine vibration qualification heritage. It was not possible to appreciably enhance the structural capability of the Jason 2 spacecraft, therefore a feasibility study of various potential approaches for mitigating the launch loads was conducted. A CSA Engineering, Inc., SoftRide whole spacecraft isolation system was chosen for implementation on the OSTM/Jason 2 mission based on probability of meeting the load mitigation criteria and cost and schedule considerations. This paper provides a) an overview of the study that resulted in selection of the SoftRide system, b) the design, analysis, and test process for the SoftRide system, along with some of the design issues and their solutions, and c) a summary of a KSC/JPL independent evaluation of the risks associated with the SoftRide program. The SoftRide solution for OSTM/Jason 2 allowed demonstration of the adequacy of the heritage qualification for the launch configuration.