The Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) is a university research group that has the capability of designing, building and testing instruments and other spacecraft systems at its labs in Surrey.
These products are both fragile and costly and no chances can be taken when they are shipped to their destinations, before they are loaded onto space ships or satellites and launched into space.
'We ensure that they are 100 per cent reliable before they leave our labs,' said Craig Theobald in the design department at MSSL.
'However, even with specialist shipping companies, we want to be certain that the equipment hasn't undergone any major impacts on the journey that may damage the delicate electronics.' In order to give them peace of mind, MSSL started using the Shockwatch Clips from Lamerholm.
The clips are based on the Shockwatch labels that are used to provide a damage deterrent when shipping goods.
They can be mounted directly on to or even inside a product to indicate when an impact has occurred.
The clear tube on the clip simply turns red when activated, providing evidence that mishandling has occurred.
This activation cannot be reversed.
The Shockwatch Clips are self-adhesive and can be stuck onto any part of the product.
They can be used to monitor poor handling and abuse at every stage of the product lifecycle from manufacture, in transit and even when being used by the customer.
'Before using the Shockwatch Clips, if any impact or damage was suspected, the instruments would have to be stripped down, tested and then reassembled,' said Theobald.
'This is costly both in terms of manpower and time.
'As much as some of our engineers would like to go up in space to service any of our instruments, it's not a viable option.
'It is vital our instruments work before leaving the ground and with the Shockwatch Clips we know if any impacts have occurred on the way to their penultimate destination.' The Shockwatch Clips are available in a range of shock levels, from 10g up to 150g.
