Space Science Technology facilities
28 facilities across 5 states
10V Space Chamber
Arnold AFB, TN
The 10V Space Chamber is a state-of-the-art deep space environment simulation test facility designed to test high performance interceptors and surveillance sensors. The chamber shares vehicle handling and target systems with the 7V Space Chamber as well as support infrastructure. The facility consists of a 10-foot-diameter by 30-foot-long chamber containing a full gaseous helium thermal shroud and an optically clean vacuum pumping system. A 300,000-pound seismic mass allows vibration isolation of the optical bench and all optical elements. The chamber is surrounded by a class 1000 clean room.
2.2 Second Drop Tower
Cleveland, OH
The 2.2 Second Drop Tower supports programs sponsored by the Microgravity Research Division and the Space Product Development Division of the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications of NASA Headquarters. This facility specializes in testing experimental packages in a Microgravity environment for a period of 2.2 seconds. The Drop Tower executes ground-based science programs, performs precursor tests to define space experiment science requirements and conceptual designs, and tests space experiment technology in development and verification. Used extensively by both NASA research scientists and university principal investigators, the facility is used to conduct research on combustion science, fluid physics and biotechnology.
3.5-Meter Telescope
Kirtland AFB, NM
The laser guidestar technique involves a laser fired toward space. Portions of that laser beam reflect back to earth, providing scientists with information on the distortions caused by the atmosphere. Adaptive optics is then used to correct for the distortion. The Range has produced improvements greater than a factor of 25 over conventional astronomical imaging and demonstrated that artificial beacon technology can virtually eliminate turbulence-induced distortions. The adaptive optics technology developed at the Range is of great interest to astronomers and could revolutionize ground-based optical astronomy. Efforts are ongoing to transfer much of this technology to the worldwide astronomical community.
AEOS Telescope Facility
Kirtland AFB, NM
The AEOS Telescope facility is the largest United States Air Force optical space tracking facility. The 40,000 square foot facility is located on Mount Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. The Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) is a 3.67 meter telescope space
Blossom Point Satellite Tracking and Command Station
Washington, DC
Class 100 Clean Room Facility
Washington, DC
Cryogenic Components Laboratory
Cleveland, OH
The Cryogenic Components Laboratory (CCL) is a new, state-of-the-art facility for research, development and qualification of cryogenic materials, components and systems. CCL specializes in cryogenic research utilizing liquid hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. The CCL is a complex of buildings and systems that is ideally suited for high-energy, high-risk development of cryogenic systems.
Cryogenic Propellant Tank Facility (K-Site)
Cleveland, OH
The Cryogenic Propellant Tank Facility (K-Site) is a space-environment test chamber 25 feet in diameter with a 20 ft diameter door. The design and construction of this facility allows large-scale liquid hydrogen (LH2) experiments to be conducted safely. Control and data systems are located in a separate, remote building and electrical control systems include explosion-proof hardware.
Decade Radiation Test Facility
Arnold AFB, TN
The DRTF is a world-class, unique facility producing multiple radiation environments to test various systems such as satellites and missile guidance controls and their components. A smaller X-ray simulator, the Modular Bremsstrahlung Source (MBS) provides nuclear weapons effects (NWE) testing on cables and small satellite components. It is the only DoD nuclear weapons effects facility with the capability to sufficiently test systems to their high confidence requirements and show they will survive and properly function in radiation environments experienced during their missions.
Mark 1 Test Facility
Arnold AFB, TN
The Mark I Test Facility is a state-of-the-art space environment simulation test chamber for full-scale space systems testing. A $1.5M dollar upgrade in fiscal year 2000 replaced existing oil diffusion pumps with a complete dry pumping system, cleaned the interior of the chamber and refinished the surface the (LN2) thermal shroud. A new Hewlett Packard 3852, with 1,500 channels of data capability, replaced the previous Micro-Vax data system. These upgrades, combined with the shear size of the facility, at 42 ft diameter by 82 ft, postures AEDC for future testing of full-scale satellites and other space systems requiring a contamination-free test environment.
Midway Research Center (MRC) Precision Spacecraft Calibration Facility
Washington, DC
Modal Survey Test Facility (MSTF)
Washington, DC
Payload Processing Facility (PPF)
Washington, DC
Reshape Facility
Washington, DC
Rocket Assembly and Checkout Facility
Washington, DC
Satellite Data Ingest and Processing System
Washington, DC
Satellite Mission Analysis Facility
Washington, DC
Space Instrument Test Facility (SITF)
Washington, DC
Space Physics Simulation Chamber (SPSC)
Washington, DC
Space Power Facility (SPF)
Cleveland, OH
The Space Power Facility (SPF) houses the world's largest space environment simulation chamber, measuring 100 ft. in diameter by 122 ft. high. In this chamber, large space-bound hardware can be tested in a severe environment similar to that encountered in space. The facility can sustain a high vacuum; simulate solar radiation via a 4-MW quartz heat lamp array, solar spectrum by a 400-kW arc lamp, and cold environments with a variable geometry cryogenic cold wall.
Space Solar Cell Characterization Laboratory
Washington, DC
Spacecraft Acoustic Reverberation Chamber Test Facility
Washington, DC
Spacecraft Research and Design Center
Monterey, CA
The Spacecraft Research and Design Center at the Naval Postgraduate School is composed of four spacecraft laboratories and one reference library: FLTSATCOM Laboratory, Spacecraft Test Laboratory, Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control Laboratory, Spacecraft Design Laboratory and Spacecraft Design Library. These laboratories are used for research in the areas of space system design, spacecraft testing, attitude and structural control, adaptive "Smart" structures, and space robotics. These spacecraft laboratories are being used by students in the Space System Engineering Curriculum and Space Operation Curriculum for course and thesis work. These laboratories are also being extensively used on joint projects with other organizations such as the Navy Satellite Operations Center and the Naval Research Laboratory. The Spacecraft Research and Design Center provides a unique blend of facilities that allow students and researchers to conduct experiments in a wide variety of high technology and aerospace related applications.
Spacecraft Spin Test Facility (SSTF)
Washington, DC
Spacecraft Thermal Analysis, Fabrication, and Test Facility
Washington, DC
Spacecraft Vibration Test Facility
Washington, DC
Static Loads Test Facility (SLTF)
Washington, DC
Thermal Vacuum Test Facility (TVAC)
Washington, DC