Space simulator
A space simulator is a test facility for space components or entire satellites in order to simulate the complex environmental conditions of space , in particular solar radiation. As a rule, a sufficiently large vacuum chamber is supplemented by the following typical fixtures:
- Lamps or similar emitters to simulate solar radiation
- Cooling devices with nitrogen or helium to simulate the radiation into space
- Mounting or rotating devices to test the satellite in different orientations
- Antennas, absorbers or test objects for testing radar, measurement and communication systems
- possibly optical components
Small engines can also be operated in sufficiently large systems, but these tests are usually carried out separately.
These tests make it possible to check the calculations that prove the functionality of the satellite before take-off, particularly with regard to thermal aspects. In simple cases, the exact simulation of the radiation is dispensed with; in this case one speaks of thermal vacuum tests.
Space simulators are very complex and therefore only in small numbers in use by the corresponding institutes and research facilities. Examples are the Large Space Simulator at ESTEC and the Space Simulator at Los Alamos National Laboratory .
Simulations in connection with manned missions are called mission simulations .
Literature and web links
- Description of ESTEC's Large Space Simulator (English)
- Test of a planetary probe in the Large Space Simulator of the Dutch ESA test center
Individual evidence
- ↑ New Device Allows Safe And Fast Access To Large Space Simulator . Science Daily. March 27, 2005. Retrieved November 23, 2007.
- ^ The Space Simulator - Modeling The Universe On A Budget . Science Daily. June 23, 2004. Retrieved November 23, 2007.