MGA Space Series, Part 1: Space Exploration Impact

Since the early 2000s, MGA Research Corporation has been a trusted partner for aerospace clients, delivering pivotal testing and validation services that ensure the durability and safety of space-bound components. As we witness the dawn of a new era in space exploration, we’re proud to reflect on our long-standing devotion to this industry.

MGA provides a comprehensive suite of testing services tailored to the demanding space industry. We ensure your components not only meet industry criteria, but also the high-stress environments a spacecraft must face. Our accredited facilities and experienced personnel deliver calibrated and dependable data, enabling you to validate designs, mitigate risks, and ultimately achieve mission success. This commitment to supplying world-class testing support makes MGA a trustworthy resource for aerospace companies seeking to push the limits of their designs.

In this first installment of a multi-part series, we will betaking a deeper dive into MGA’s impact within the rapidly expanding space industry.

The MGA Advantage

By expanding our locations and capabilities, we’re reducing costs, improving turnaround times, and supporting the next generation of spacecraft.

MGA’s Achievements to Date:

-           Pyroshock Equipment Support:

o  Internal: 15+ across all locations

o  External: 30+ sold and supported

-           Proven in the Field:

o  Thousands of successful launches and counting

o  Government, commercial, and defense applications

-           Trusted by a Diverse Client Group:

o  Space agencies, launch vehicle manufacturers, and suppliers

o  International programs, including within North America and Europe

Locations

The space industry continues to take off, and as a result, our team has met the growing demand by expanding our testing capabilities, including pyroshock, vibration, and environmental testing. Our pyroshock equipment is already featured in labs across New York, Virginia, Alabama, and California. Now, we have expanded these services to nearly all MGA locations by bringing the equipment online in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada. By broadening our geographic reach, we aim to streamline testing processes, reduce logistical complexities, and enhance collaboration.

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MGA’s Pyroshock System

Pyroshock testing is specifically designed to simulate pyrotechnic or other serious events a spacecraft might experience during flight, such as ignition, launch, separation, and re-entry phases, while in the safety of a controlled lab environment. Our system features a tunable resonant beam that, when struck by a cylindrical mass from a pneumatic cannon, generates reproducible, high-frequency, high-magnitude shock pulses to evaluate test articles. With over 10 adjustable parameters, MGA’s pyroshock system can mimic a wide range of shock response spectrum (SRS) levels, meeting the toughest aerospace and military testing requirements.

Pyroshock testing is specifically designed to simulate pyrotechnic or other serious events a spacecraft might experience during flight, such as ignition, launch, separation, and re-entry phases, while in the safety of a controlled lab environment. Our system features a tunable resonant beam that, when struck by a cylindrical mass from a pneumatic cannon, generates reproducible, high-frequency, high-magnitude shock pulses to evaluate test articles. With over 10 adjustable parameters, MGA’s pyroshock system can mimic a wide range of shock response spectrum (SRS) levels, meeting the toughest aerospace and military testing requirements.

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All equipment is designed, manufactured, and tested in-house to meet the industry’s best practices. MGA offers full-service support, including installation, training, maintenance, and onsite assistance for equipment validation and troubleshooting.

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Along with full-system support, our fabrication group provides expert services in designing and building fixtures, adaptor plates, and blocks for a wide range of testing applications. MGA has universal fixturing solutions that have been engineered, proven, and used internally for decades.

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Supplementary Capabilities

Aerospace equipment must withstand not only the intense effects of pyroshock but also severe vibrations. To ensure structural integrity and performance, our facilities are equipped with over 40 electrodynamic shakers capable of generating customizable vibration profiles. These tests can be conducted in ambient conditions or within a controlled temperature and humidity environment, accurately simulating real-world operational stresses.

MGA’s environmental chambers provide support for a broad range of tests, including thermal shock, temperature cycling, custom temperature profiles, and soaks. Programmable for precise temperature ramps and dwell times, these chambers can rapidly transition between temperatures to replicate all possible scenarios. Personalized temperature profiles can be generated to meet specific client needs, ensuring accurate simulation of unique operational environments.

Commitment to the Future

As the space industry pursues new frontiers, MGA is dedicated to remaining on the cutting edge, working alongside the industry’s key players, and pushing the limits of what is possible. MGA is researching and developing new technologies to add to our scope. Our customers can expect future updates and additions to our diverse equipment portfolio.

MGA Space Series – What’s Next?

This article is just the beginning. Stay tuned for the next parts of our series, where we’ll explore:

➡ TVAC testing: Ensuring spacecraft endure the extreme conditions of space.

➡ Cryogenic testing: Validating components for deep-space and lunar environments.

➡ And more!

We are devoted to significantly investing in the future of space exploration, all while offering our clients the most advanced testing solutions available today, tomorrow, and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about our space capabilities, fill out our contact form today!

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