Structural optimization, additive manufacturing and vibration testing of titanium alloy supports based on the space detector SVOM-MXT

The space mission SVOM is dedicated to the detection of gamma ray bursts attributed to the explosion of massive stars or the merger of neutron stars. Gamma-ray bursts are a powerful tool to probe the Universe and to study physics in extreme conditions. Inside of the satellite, MXT is a X-ray telescope which contributes to localize such events. MXT camera is enclosed in an aluminum shielding which is supported by three small support feet made of titanium alloy. Although the supports mounted in the satellite will be built using conventional techniques, CEA/Irfu has worked in parallel on several ‘concurrent’ designs based on structural optimization. They have been drafted and fabricated by additive manufacturing. The main input constraints are related to space environment: low temperature, limited thermal conduction, limited mass, resistance to high vibration levels corresponding to the takeoff of the mission. In this paper, the optimization process and the numerical tools involved are described. Feedback is provided on the modeling, drafting and manufacturing steps, including additive manufacturing and conventional re-machining. Finally, the experimental vibration tests are described and the results are compared with numerical finite elements models in order to qualify the components similarly to the nominal parts.