System‐Level Testing of Spacecraft

This chapter discusses system‐level testing of spacecraft, meaning at the level of the entire integrated spacecraft, and aims to share some of the experience gained in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) support for spacecraft missions over more than 15 years. It provides a classification of system‐level testing. The chapter describes the EMC verification approach. It discusses the purpose of testing at the system level. The system‐level test requirements are defined and divided into four different groups: launcher compatibility, autocompatibility or self‐compatibility, RF compatibility, and compatibility with instrument‐driven scientific requirements. The chapter discusses the execution of the system‐level tests, detailing the specifics on several practical examples of satellite projects. It provides an overview of EMC requirement levels and their verification. Due to the absence of external noise sources and victims for the spacecraft, the requirement for self‐compatibility or autocompatibility is the most important EMC requirement next to the launcher compatibility.