Dynamic measurements of impulses generated by the separation of adhered bodies under near-zero gravity conditions

The present paper is aimed at investigating the dynamics of release of objects in free-falling conditions, which constitutes a typical phase of some space applications. In the presence of surface interaction forces, a quick separation of the released body from the constraining one will result in a momentum transfer, provided that the inertial forces exceed the maximum attractive force. The release conditions as well as the related parameters affecting the momentum acquired by the released body through the adhesion rupture play a fundamental role. An experimental technique aimed at measuring the momentum transfer has been developed. The basic concept of the measuring apparatus is to suspend both bodies from two pendulums. A position sensor detects the weakly damped oscillation of one object due to the momentum transferred upon pulling the other one away. Particular attention has been placed on the capability to accurately reproduce the stress status on the adhesive contact patch between the two bodies, on the noise sources affecting the measurement, and on the performances of a noise optimal-filtering technique. This paper presents measurements of momentum transfer between adhered surfaces upon quick separation.