A force limited random vibration test was conducted on a small satellite called FORTE'. This type of vibration test reduces the over testing that can occur in a conventional vibration test. Two vibration specifications were used in the test: the conventional base acceleration specification, and an interface force specification. The vibration level of the shaker was controlled such that neither the table acceleration nor the force transmitted to the test item exceeded its specification. The effect of limiting the shake table vibration to the force specification was to reduce (or "notch") the shaker acceleration near some of the satellite's resonance frequencies.
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