Johns Hopkins University APL | US: Vibration Testing System
The client
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a premier research center in Howard County, Maryland, dedicated to solving complex engineering and analytical challenges. In 2012, it expanded its capabilities with a 46,000-square-foot facility designed for spacecraft-sized payloads and Department of Defense (DoD) projects.
This state-of-the-art building features 50-foot ceilings and high-capacity cleanrooms, complementing APL’s existing infrastructure for optics, mechanical assembly, and flight hardware staging. The facility was designed to handle the integration and testing of massive aerospace structures for the world’s most demanding missions.
The solution
To support large-scale spacecraft testing, APL utilizes an m+p international 192-channel data acquisition system and 64-channel vibration control system.
Because these systems are identical to those in APL’s original Vibration Test Laboratory, they allow for seamless channel sharing and hardware redundancy.
The result
This standardized setup enables APL to conduct parallel testing for multiple missions simultaneously, ensuring maximum efficiency and mission-readiness for complex spacecraft.