EMI/EMC, Lightning, and RF Test Verification for the Virgin Orbit LauncherOne Vehicle

Virgin Orbit has developed the LauncherOne (L1) two stage LOX/RP-1 launch system, capable of deploying payloads up to 300kg to 500km Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO), and deploying payloads up to 500kg to 200km Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The EMI/EMC Control Program has been tailored from RTCADO-160F and MIL-STD-461F. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) for LauncherOne has been verified to Launch Range, EGSE (electrical ground support equipment) and internal launch vehicle (LV) Avionics systems electromagnetic environments, by tailored, limited component/unit test, subsystem test and limited system level test. The EMISMs (electromagnetic interference susceptibility margins) for interfaces internal to L1 and between L1-747, have been verified by System qualification test, and are 6dB for noncritical and 20dB for critical interfaces. This paper reports the test results used to verify functional performance and margins.