Propulsion facilities in OH
9 facilities
Electric Propulsion Laboratory (EPL)
Cleveland, OH
The Electric Propulsion Laboratory (EPL) supports research and development of spacecraft power and electric propulsion systems. EPL features two very large space environment chambers; intermediate and smaller environment simulation chambers for testing small engines or components; bell jars used for small-scale development and component testing; and support areas.
Electric Propulsion Research Building (EPRB)
Cleveland, OH
The Electric Propulsion Research Building (EPRB) capability centers on its suite of vacuum chambers, which are configured to meet the unique requirements related to electric propulsion, spacecraft power, and space environmental effects. EPRB chambers range in size from bench top bell jars to 3-meters in diameter and are equipped with a variety of pumping systems (cryopumps, diffusion pumps, oil-free pumping trains, and high-throughput roots-blowers). In addition to the vacuum chambers, EPRB provides over 20,000 sq ft of specialty labs, clean rooms, and assembly rooms.
Engine Components Research Lab (ECRL)
Cleveland, OH
This facility houses three separate test rigs, each focused on a unique area of research. ECRL-1B is used to test and evaluate advanced combustor concepts for full-scale engine combustors and augmentors. High-temperature materials and cooling concepts for advanced engines are explored in ECRL-2A. ECRL-2B is a small turbine engine test facility.
Engine Research Building (ERB)
Cleveland, OH
With 152,235 square feet of floor space and housing more than 60 test rigs, the massive Engine Research Building (ERB) is the largest and most adaptable test facility complex at NASA Glenn. Almost half of the rigs support aeronautics programs in four general areas of research -- turbomachinery, combustion and aerochemistry, aeropropulsion, and aerodynamic fluid flow.
Heated Tube Facility
Cleveland, OH
The Heated Tube Facility at NASA GRC investigates cooling issues by simulating conditions characteristic of rocket engine thrust chambers and high speed airbreathing propulsion systems.
Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL)
Cleveland, OH
The Propulsion Systems Laboratory is NASA's only ground-based test facility that can provide true flight simulation for experimental research on air-breathing propulsion systems. Altitudes to 70,000 ft and Mach numbers to 3.0 in one cell and 6.0 in the other can be simulated continuously.
Research Combustion Laboratory (RCL)
Cleveland, OH
The Research Combustion Laboratory (RCL) develops aerospace propulsion technology by performing tests on propulsion components and materials. Altitudes up to 137,000 feet can be simulated. The Small Multi-Purpose Research Facility, or SMiRF, evaluates the performance of the thermal protection systems required to provide long-term storage (of up to 10 years) of cryogenic propellants in space.
Small Multi-Purpose Research Facility (SMiRF)
Cleveland, OH
The Research Combustion Laboratory (RCL) develops aerospace propulsion technology by performing tests on propulsion components and materials. Altitudes up to 137,000 feet can be simulated. The Small Multi-Purpose Research Facility, or SMiRF, evaluates the performance of the thermal protection systems required to provide long-term storage (of up to 10 years) of cryogenic propellants in space.
Spacecraft Propulsion Facility (B-2)
Cleveland, OH
NASA's Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility is the world's only high altitude test facility capable of full-scale rocket engine and launch vehicle system level tests. The facility supports mission profile thermal vacuum simulation and engine firing. The engine or vehicle can be exposed for indefinite periods to low ambient pressures, low-background temperatures, and dynamic solar heating, simulating the environment the hardware will encounter during orbital or interplanetary travel.