Spotlight: MSI DFAT Services

Why It Matters

MSI DFAT’s rapid, cost‑effective acoustic testing cuts schedule delays and expenses, directly enhancing the pace and affordability of satellite launch programs worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• MSI DFAT provides rapid direct field acoustic testing for spacecraft.
• New MS 25 loudspeaker expands frequency range below 25 Hz.
• Non‑diffuse directional testing better simulates real launch acoustic environments.
• Company offers both on‑site testing service and equipment sales globally.
• Rapid test turnaround reduces program schedules and aerospace testing bottlenecks.

Summary

The SatShow 2026 interview highlighted MSI DFAT’s niche in direct field acoustic testing (DFAT) for spacecraft, a service the company pioneered around 2000. CEO Alex Corradi explained how the firm designs and manufactures loudspeaker systems that recreate launch‑induced acoustic loads, positioning the technology as a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional reverberant‑chamber tests. Key developments include the launch of the MS 25 loudspeaker, which extends the testable frequency band below 25 Hz, and the rollout of non‑diffuse, directional acoustic fields that more accurately mimic real‑world launch environments. MSI DFAT boasts an inventory of over 700 speakers, enabling split‑site testing across the U.S. and rapid one‑day turnarounds that compress multi‑day test schedules. Corradi cited a recent NASA administrator’s call for “faster, better, and cheaper” testing, noting the company’s ability to meet that demand by delivering a full acoustic test in a single day. The firm also serves international clients, either by shipping equipment for in‑house labs or providing on‑site DFAT as a service, underscoring its flexible business model. The implications are significant: by slashing test duration and cost, MSI DFAT alleviates a major bottleneck in aerospace and defense programs, potentially accelerating satellite deployment timelines and improving budget predictability for both government and commercial stakeholders.

Original Description

As the inventor of direct field acoustic testing, MSI DFAT is the leading provider of rapid and economical direct field acoustic qualification testing equipment and engineering services for the space industry. Aviation Week talked to its CEO Alex Carrella about the firm’s product innovations and global growth ambitions.