VZLUSAT-1: Health monitoring system, preliminary results

The health monitoring (HM) system placed on VZLUSAT-1 nondestructively measures the mechanical and thermal properties of the newly developed carbon fiber material for space usage. The carbon material is exposed to the vacuum, radiation, and temperature changes in space. It can be used as a substitute for the currently used aluminum alloys because it has lower mass density and better mechanical properties compared to aluminum. The HM payload evaluates the quality changes of a material according to the difference in Young's modulus. Young's modulus of elasticity is a characteristic property of every solid material, and on VZLUSAT-1 it is measured in terms of the eigenfrequencies of a free-hanging beam. In this paper we present the first data measured in orbit-the eigenfrequencies, attenuation, and six temperatures from a carbon fiber panel. Based on these data, the quality of the mechanical properties and time stability are determined over the VZLUSAT-1's life span.