Actually, it is much, much worse.  Not on orbit, of course, but on the rocket ride up there.  I have witnessed vibration testing to the spectrum which these things are qualified -- it makes our prehistoric 4-bangers seem as smooth as turbines. 

and

 

In a message dated 1/1/2006 9:53:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, elippse@sbcglobal.net writes:

 

Rob and Paul,

 

OK, let's not cause undue concern amongst the builders.  It is unnecessary to overbuild things.

 

When considering any system in our powered lawn darts, the first of many tests is "can it withstand constant vibration?"  These aircraft are not rocket ships that spend most of their time collecting cosmic rays and meteorite dust in a vacuum (no, not in a Dyson).  Constant vibration that begins after engine start and doesn't cease until shutdown.  Every flight hour until TBO is spent vibrating.  I've had an incompletely closed BNC connector vibrate apart (7 flight hours), a poorly supported unimportant solder joint shake and break (500 flight hours) and the alternator B-lead crimp connection work harden the wire and break at the crimp because of a poor support choice (8 flight hours).

 

I have many Fastons (switches, power buses, ground buses) - none have failed so far in over 700 flight hours.  I have a large number of Molex connectors - none have failed so far.  I have all kinds of terminals, plugs and pins that are crimped without solder - none have failed so far.  I have large numbers of d-subs connecting autopilot parts, Garmin 430, radios, etc. - no failures so far. I have utilized more tie-wraps than I can count to make sure wires are supported so that vibration effects are held to a minimum. 

 

I have two d-sub connectors that almost failed because of thoughtless design and cheap components - Magneto accessory case LSE timing hall sensor connectors worked loose in less than 20 flight hours.  Why, because LSE decided to hard mount the d-sub receptacles to the sensor box, unlike LASAR that has its' connectors located at the end of a pigtail so that the connection can be located to minimize vibration.  The problem has been handled by using better connectors and safetying the locking screws.

 

You don't need rocket ship connectors that handle the big rumble when all that is needed is to be aware of the constant buzz and deal with it.