Space simulator VTC 1.5
Space simulator 1.5 is a moderate-size thermal vacuum facility equipped with solar energy simulator, designed to test hardware. The facility consists of a cylindrical vacuum chamber 3.5 m long and 2m wide connected to the sun simulation source through a quartz window 900 mm in diameter.
The chamber is equipped with the three-section thermal casing capableto operate both in gaseous and in liquid nitrogen mode. Moreover, the three independent channels of the fluid loop enable to control the temperature of three current conductive plates. The high flux sun simulator is providing flux simulation up to 20 solar constants.
Thanks to the fully automated heat generator and special purpose control devices, the VTC 1.5 facility can operate in stand-alone mode in specific conditions without any supervision whatsoever, for example while continuous tests. The Solar simulator VTC 1.5 enables to qualify missions meant to reach as far as circumsolar orbits and Mars orbit.
The main performances of the space simulator VTC 1.5 are listed below:
| Vacuum pumping system | |
|---|---|
| Vacuum at nominal conditions (or nominal vacuum) Typical achievable vacuum | 5.10-6мбар |
| The lowest possible vacuum Lowest achieved vacuum The system is completely degreased | 3.10-7мбар |
| The body and equipment for nitrogen supply | |
|---|---|
| Temperature for LN2 | < 100K |
| Gradient in the mode LN2 | 5K |
| Thermal load for LN2 mode | 10 kW |
| Temperature for GN2 mode | 123K – 393K |
| Gradient for GN2 | 10K |
| Thermal load GN2 mode | 1 kW |
| Thermal gradient for GN2 mode | up to 2K/min |
| Solar radiation adsorption rate | 0.96 |
| Infrared radiation band | 0.88 |
| Three fluidic loops | |
|---|---|
| Temperature range | 213K – 373K |
| Stable mode gradient | 2K |
| Thermal load of the loop | 500W |
| Volume | |
|---|---|
| Test volume | Ø 1.7m x 3m |
| Vacuum chamber volume | Ø 2m x 3.5m |
| Test subject interface | |
|---|---|
| IF conductive plate | 1m x 1.2m with the grid 10mm M6 |
| Ceiling attachment points | 6x 150kg in the grid 1100mm x 975mm |
Form and size of the spot: perfect hexagon, the incircle diameter 500 mm.
Average illumination:
- Lamp module 25 kW: 8-13 solar units
- Lamp module 32 kW: 10-17 solar units
- With 7-lamp module: 0.3-4 solar units
Non-uniformity: ±4%
Misalignment: >90% of power in angle ±2.5
Spectrum: pure Xe