Space Power Facility

NASA has developed these capabilities under one roof to optimize testing of spaceflight hardware while minimizing transportation issues.

The facility was designed and constructed to test both nuclear and non-nuclear space hardware in a simulated low-Earth-orbiting environment.

Brian Cox of the BBC's Human Universe filmed a rock and feather drop episode at the Space Power Facility.

[1] Designed specifically as a large-scale thermal-vacuum test chamber for qualification testing of vehicles and equipment in outer-space conditions, it was discovered in the late 2000s that the unique construction of the SPF interior aluminum vacuum chamber also makes it an extremely large and electrically complex microwave or radio frequency cavity with excellent reverberant electro-magnetic characteristics.

[4] As a result of these activities, the SPF can perform radiated susceptibility EMI tests for vehicles and equipment per MIL-STD-461, and can achieve MIL-STD-461F limits above approximately 80 MHz.

In the spring of 2017 the low-power characterizations and calibrations from 2009 and 2011 were proven correct in a series of high-power tests performed in the chamber to validate its capabilities.

The SPF chamber is currently being prepared for EMI radiated susceptibility testing of the crew module for the Artemis 1 of NASA's Orion spacecraft.

The Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility has 36 nitrogen-driven horns to simulate the high noise levels that are experienced during a space vehicle launch and supersonic ascent conditions.

The 16 vertical actuators allow for testing of up to a 75,000 lb (34,000 kg) article at the previously stated frequency and amplitude limits.

In addition to the sine vibe table, a fixed-base modal floor sufficient for the 20 ft (6.1 m) diameter test article is available.