IMV Receives Order for JAXA Vibration Test System Upgrade

IMV has received an order from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems, Ltd. the prime contractor, for the upgrade of a large-scale vibration test system owned by JAXA.
This major project will upgrade the power amplifier, system control unit, and vibration control unit that form part of the existing vibration test system. IMV’s “K2+” vibration control system will be adopted for the vibration control unit.

Vibration Testing: Verifying Spacecraft Reliability on the Ground

Satellites, rockets, and their onboard equipment are subjected to significant vibration during launch.

Because spacecraft are extremely difficult to repair once deployed in space, vibration testing is an essential part of ensuring reliability before launch. By reproducing launch vibration environments on the ground, engineers can verify that equipment and structures are capable of withstanding the conditions they will encounter.

JAXA operates a range of environmental test systems used for the development and evaluation of spacecraft, reproducing conditions such as vibration, acoustic noise, and shock during rocket launches, as well as the vacuum and thermal environments of space.

The large-scale vibration test system to be upgraded under this project can accommodate test specimens weighing up to eight tonnes and provides a vertical excitation force of 800 kN, giving it one of the highest excitation capacities among electrodynamic vibration test systems in Japan.

Under this project, the power amplifier, system control unit, and vibration control unit will be comprehensively upgraded.

IMV’s high-performance “K2+” vibration control system will be used for the vibration control unit. It plays an important role in controlling the shaker according to the required test conditions and accurately reproducing the specified vibration environment.

For large-scale test systems that are expected to remain in service for many years, an upgrade involves more than simply replacing individual components. Compatibility with existing equipment, safety, and future maintenance and servicing must also be carefully considered.

IMV was selected for this project in recognition of its advanced design capabilities, manufacturing expertise, and technical capabilities developed as a specialist in vibration testing, as well as its comprehensive ability to optimally integrate, operate, and maintain the entire test system.

IMV will continue to contribute to improving the reliability of space-related technologies and to the development of the space industry, both in Japan and around the world.

Revenue from this project is scheduled to be recognized in the fiscal year ending September 2028. The impact on IMV’s consolidated financial results for the current fiscal year is expected to be immaterial.