The mass test is an important part of the mass calibration process. The mass test determines the accuracy of the masses that are attached to the sensor known as Riser.
These masses are what determine how many grams of force (g) there are on the sensor. The Riser has a known number of grams of force per square meter (g/m^2) it can sense due to its construction.
By having a higher number of grams of force on the riser, there will be more sensors activating due to a given amount of force. This would be considered an overestimation of force, which is not desirable.
Therefore, the goal is to have a mass test where the masses attached to the riser are as close to one another in weight as possible while still being able to detect differences in activation due to different levels of force being applied.
The test-mass riser
As mentioned before, the test-mass hangs from the test-mass riser. The riser is what the dart hangs from when it is thrown.
This piece is designed to give the dart weight so that it can fall down and strike the board or floor with force. This gives the dart momentum that helps it strike the target.
In nerf wars, the riser gives your dart weight so that it can strike your enemy’s target with force. The heavier your riser is, the more likely you are to hit your target.
The problem with having a heavy riser is that it may not fall down as easily as a lighter one will. This could potentially hurt your chances of hitting your target! You have to find a happy medium between giving your dart enough weight and being too heavy itself.
What is the mass of the test-mass?
The mass of the test-mass depends on what the satellite is designed to do. If the satellite is designed to stabilize itself, then the test-mass needs to be as heavy as possible so that it takes a lot of effort to move it.If the satellite is designed to move itself, then the test-mass needs to be as light as possible so that it can move easily.
The mass of the test-mass is also dependent on how long the satellite will be in orbit. If the satellite is going to stay in orbit for a long time, then the mass of the test-mass needs to be heavier so that it does not float away. If the satellite is only going to stay in orbit for a short time, then the mass can be lighter.
The engineers who design satellites are very careful when choosing what type and how much of a material to use for a test-mass.
What is the shape of the test-mass?
The test-mass can be any shape, however, most often it is a sphere. A sphere is the most uniform shape and can be modeled as such when designing your test-mass.
Some test-masses have been reported to be cube-shaped, rectangular, and even triangular! While these shapes may affect the way your test-mass moves through the water, a sphere will provide the best overall representation of how your model will act in water.
A common question asked is “How do I make my model swim like yours?” and the answer almost always is to make your model look like a sphere.
What is the density of the test-mass?
In order to know how much force the mass needs to apply in order to stop the sled, you need to know the density of the test-mass. The higher the density, the more force it will take to stop it.
Where is the test mass located?
The test mass is located in a separate chamber called the test-mass riser. The test mass hangs from the top of the riser and is connected by a cable.
The riser itself rests on hydraulic pistons. When the spacecraft moves, the pistons move, pushing the test mass up or down and changing its orientation. This simulates how a real spacecraft would move when in orbit.
The pistons are controlled by a computer that receives information from the cameras on board about how the spacecraft is moving. It then sends signals to the pistons to adjust them so that they match what it perceives movement to be.
The ability of this system to sense movement and counter it helps ensure that the test mass remains stable and does not tip over or rotate as it experiences simulated gravity and orbital movements.
What are some challenges with using a test mass?
While the test mass is an excellent way to test the gravity sensor, it has some limitations. The first is that you can only test your application on a table.
You cannot use a test mass to see how the device will function in real-world situations, such as when it is hanging from a crane or attached to something else.
Another limitation is that you can only test your application for one force: gravity. If you want to add functionality that includes any other forces, such as pulling or pushing, then you must do so without testing it on a test mass.
You must instead rely on other forms of testing, such as using sandbags or water for pushing and pulling the device. These may not be as accurate, however.
Who invented this device?
The test-mass innovator was a man named Alan Shepard. During the Cold War, America’s military developed this system to test whether or not a warhead could detonate at high altitudes.
Shepard was a lieutenant when he worked on this project and later became a famous astronaut. He is credited with developing the test-mass riser, which is the tube that holds the mass while it hangs from the balloon.
The test-mass riser is made of stainless steel and has rounded edges to keep the mass from sticking to it. This makes it easier to re-enter the atmosphere and return to Earth.
Shepard also helped design protective gear for people who would work with this device. He knew how dangerous it was and took the necessary precautions to protect himself and others working with him.
Why do we use a test mass?
So why do we use a test mass? Well, as mentioned before, the LISA Pathfinder mission will measure the shape of the nucleus of the cell using the oscillations of the spacecraft due to the gravitational pull of the test mass.
By using a test mass instead of a spacecraft, we can eliminate external forces that influence the measurement. These include gravity from other objects and thrust from the engines.
Since LISA will be in low-Earth orbit, it will experience drag due to molecules in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The drag increases atmospheric density and raises temperature, both of which affect how freely objects move. LISA needs a very low density and temperature in order for it to measure oscillations caused by gravitational waves. By eliminating drag, LISA is able to better detect these oscillations.
