Acoustic Emission Network
Distributed Acoustic Emission Sensors for Crack Detection
The acoustic emission network is a distributed sensor system that detects micro-crack initiation and propagation in pressure vessels and structural components. Utilizing 30 piezoelectric PZT sensors operating across a 20 to 500 kHz frequency range, the 3 kg system performs spectral signature analysis per ASTM E1316 standards while drawing 5 W of power. The unshielded lunar radiation environment necessitates radiation-tolerant analyzer electronics and radiation-hardened analog-to-digital converters to prevent signal degradation, enabling continuous structural monitoring across a 25-year operational lifetime with a 200,000-hour mean time between failures.
Distributed acoustic emission sensors detecting micro-crack initiation and propagation in pressure vessels and structures.
Purpose
Distributed acoustic emission sensors detecting micro-crack initiation and propagation in pressure vessels and structures.
Context
Child of L2-SSM-SHM within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Piezoelectric AE sensors on critical structures
- ▸Spectral signature analysis for crack characterisation
- ▸Per ASTM E1316 acoustic emission standards
- ▸Coordinated with L3-MMD-DET-ACOUS
- ▸Long-mission crack monitoring
Typical implementations
- ▸Aerospace SHM acoustic emission
- ▸Pressure vessel AE monitoring
- ▸Pipeline integrity AE
Lunar considerations
- ▸Long-life piezoelectric sensors
- ▸Rad-tolerant analyser electronics
- ▸Cross-coupled with L3-MMD-DET-ACOUS
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Distributed acoustic emission sensors detecting micro-crack initiation and propagation in pressure vessels and structures. |
| sensors | 30 |
| frequency khz range | 20, 500 |
Physical
| mass kg | 3 |
| materials | PZT acoustic sensors, Rad-hard ADC |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 5 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 25 |
| mtbf hours | 200000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- AE event data
- Crack-detection telemetry
Requires
- Sensors (~5 W)
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Acoustic Emission Network" (L3-SSM-SHM-ACOUS). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-SSM-SHM-ACOUS
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.