4.2 Subsystem Responsibilities

The structures and mechanisms system is responsible for:

• Surviving loads through launch and the entire spacecraft mission.
• Supporting geometric requirements or constraints in component placement.
• Deploying structures successfully.
• Ensuring mechanisms do not fail throughout the entire spacecraft mission.

^{Vibration Testing Arkyd 6 by Planetary Resources. Video Courtesy of Youtube.}

During the design process, the structures, and mechanisms (STR) specialist:

Artemis Kit Specific

• Is the owner and primary developer of the spacecraft Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
• Must design the spacecraft frame and ensure the primary structure, the spacecraft frame, survives the spacecraft’s major loads, which includes the launch vehicle conditions while contained in the deployer and during the pod deployment.
• Must also generate secondary structures that support components, like mounting brackets, baffles, and camera covers.
• Must geometrically fit the various subsystem components into the spacecraft structure, which may be an iterative, time-consuming process.
• Is responsible for adhering to the structural requirements throughout the entire spacecraft lifecycle through analysis and testing.