Space Shuttle Pogo Prevention

The Space Shuttle structural and propulsion system configurations present new and more complex mechanisms for pogo instabilities than experienced with previous launch vehicle development programs. A comprehensive plan integrating mathematical model development, stability analysis, verification testing, and pogo suppressor development was implemented to avoid pogo instability in the Space Shuttle design. Suppressor requirement studies led to selection of gas-filled accumulators located at the Space Shuttle main engine high-pressure oxidizer turbopump inlets. These pogo suppressors are currently undergoing development testing before installation for single-engine and clustered-engine firings.