Orbital Minotaur I - Manual (Page 34)

Minotaur I User’s Guide Section 4.0 – Payload Environment
4.1.1. Transient Loads
During upper stage burnout, prior to staging, the transient loads are relatively benign. There are
significant transient loads that occur at both Stage 2 and Stage 3 ignition. During the transient portion of
these ignition events, the steady state axial loads are relatively nonexistent. Transient loads are highly
dependent on payload mass, CG, natural frequencies, and moment of inertias as well as the chosen
separation system and Payload Attach Fitting (PAF). All of these were varied to develop a range of
transient lateral accelerations at the typical dominant event and are shown as a function of payload mass
in Figure 4.1.1-1.
Preliminary and final CLAs will be performed for each Minotaur mission where the payload finite element
model is coupled to the vehicle model. Forcing functions have been developed for all significant flight
events and load cases. Results from the CLA are reported in the Acceleration Transformation Matrix
(ATM) and Load Transformation Matrix (LTM) as requested by the payload provider.
A payload isolation system is available as a non-standard option and is described in Section 8.10. This
system has been demonstrated to significantly reduce transient dynamic loads that occur during flight.
Figure 4.1.1-1. Payload CG Net Transient Lateral Acceleration Envelope
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