Hookup Wire for Space Applications: Cable Type SPM
 Gore's Cable Type SPM is designed to withstand atomic oxygen typical of low orbit applications such as the International Space Station. Cable Type SPM meets ESA/SCC 3901/018. This cable has been used on the Space Station, BDPU, and ERA. SPM cable uses silver-coated, oxygen-free, high-conductivity copper and copper alloy conductors for crimping and soldering. The cable is available in wire size AWG 12 to AWG 32, with operating voltage of 600 V rms in service temperatures of 200°C to +200°C.
Cable Type SPM is available in 88 variants, ranging from single wires to seven-core cables.
| Variant number |
Shield |
Number of core |
Wire size range (AWG) |
Maximum cable diameter (mm) |
Maximum weight (kg/km) |
|
01-09
|
No
|
1
|
32-12
|
0.75-2.97
|
1.05-35.6
|
|
10-18
|
No
|
2
|
32-12
|
1.5-5.94
|
2.26-76.2
|
|
19-24
|
No
|
3
|
26-12
|
2.21-6.39
|
8.29-114.0
|
|
25-30
|
No
|
4
|
26-12
|
2.47-7.13
|
11.0-153.0
|
|
31-34
|
No
|
5
|
26-20
|
2.78-4.27
|
14.2-44.5
|
|
35-38
|
No
|
7
|
26-20
|
3.08-4.74
|
19.4-61.3
|
|
39-47
|
Yes
|
1
|
32-12
|
1.37-3.69
|
4.4-48.5
|
|
48-56
|
Yes
|
2
|
32-12
|
2.2-7.03
|
9.31-111.0
|
|
57-65
|
Yes
|
3
|
32-12
|
2.32-7.49
|
10.6-151.0
|
|
66-74
|
Yes
|
4
|
32-12
|
2.59-8.65
|
12.9-191.0
|
|
75-81
|
Yes
|
5
|
32-20
|
2.74-5.0
|
15.6-62.7
|
|
72-88
|
Yes
|
7
|
32-20
|
2.98-5.79
|
18.1-89.7
|
Wires and cables used in spacecraft wiring harnesses are typically cut to length, stripped, and terminated while the technician stands inside the structure or on a ladder or maintenance stand. The difficult routings and cramped quarters encountered are not conducive to proper cable handling.
Cables can be overstressed during installation, before the satellite goes into a temperature cycling or vibration test, and sections of the harness often require replacement during system qualification. Gore type SPM provides excellent safety during handling due to the mechanical properties of its insulation materials, thus helping integration teams stay on schedule and avoid costly downtime.
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