AST SpaceMobile required shock mount protection for a set of new satellites, but they needed to fit up to five containers into a 53’ semi refer trailer.
The main structure of the container included a base, base plate, wire rope isolators and a two-part lid. Several features were added for improved safety during intra-facility transfer and external transport including forklift tubes, lifting points, load-proof attachment points and the option of removable casters.
The lid sections were completely removable and were able to be placed and detached without using a crane. Each lid had an inlet port to accommodate an external heating and cooling unit to maintain a steady temperature within the container during storage and transport.
In addition to being waterproof to rain, hail or snow, the insulated shipping container included several other safety features to prevent transport damage or contamination upon delivery:
- Electrostatic discharge isolation during transport
- Shock sensors, vibration registers and temperature/humidity sensors were mounted to the baseplate
- Silica gel basket with a relief valve to provide pressure relief for low-pressure traveling conditions
- Mechanisms were compliant with ISO9 clean environments
