Temperature Testing for NASA’s Dream Chaser Spaceplane
Industry Related News: May 2024 – United States
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane has reached a significant milestone by completing rigorous pre-flight testing at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility. A major component of these tests was the thermal vacuum testing, which is crucial for ensuring the spacecraft can endure the extreme temperatures and vacuum conditions of space. The Dream Chaser, along with its cargo module Shooting Star, underwent temperature cycles ranging from a frigid -150°F to a scorching +250°F in a vacuum chamber over a period of five weeks. This intensive testing is designed to validate the spacecraft’s thermal resilience and the functionality of its systems in space-like conditions.
The thermal vacuum testing plays a pivotal role in preparing the Dream Chaser for its upcoming missions. By simulating the harsh thermal environments it will encounter in orbit, the tests help identify any potential issues that could affect the spacecraft’s performance. These conditions are far more extreme than those experienced on Earth, and ensuring that all systems operate correctly under these circumstances is vital for mission success. The testing also evaluates the spacecraft’s ability to maintain structural integrity and protect its onboard instruments and cargo from the temperature fluctuations of space.
Successfully completing these tests is a crucial step toward the Dream Chaser’s planned mission to the International Space Station (ISS). As the spacecraft prepares for its maiden flight, the data gathered from the thermal vacuum tests provide confidence in its readiness for spaceflight. These tests ensure that the Dream Chaser can safely transport cargo and eventually astronauts to and from the ISS, marking a new era in commercial space travel.
Citation: New Spaceplane Completes Pre-Flight Testing at NASA.” Aerospace Manufacturing, 31 May 2024, https://www.aero-mag.com/new-spaceplane-completes-pre-flight-testing-at-nasa. Accessed 31 May 2024.
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Khoury Industries is a worldwide leader in temperature testing equipment for device characterization, thermal cycling equipment, and failure analysis. Khoury Industries designs and manufactures custom thermal chambers and microwave thermal testing fixtures used in a variety of industries including: military, space, automotive, medical, research, and communication fields. The Khoury Box and the patented ELI-1000 have quickly become industry favorites as thermal testing devices used to ensure the reliability of industrial and electronic products through prolonged exposure to extreme conditions.
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Penny Aicardi
Khoury Industries
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Bellingham, MA 02019
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ELI-1000
A Remote, Compact Testing Solution
This revolutionary system combines a thermal source and custom or standard chamber into one system. The interchangeable chamber feature of the ELI-1000 allows users to easily accommodate their varying industry needs. The patented technology in the ELI-1000 allows for a steady state operation with a heating/cooling system that can be operated and controlled independently of each other.
Khoury Box
RF, Microwave Thermal testing
Controlling temperature with precision at the device case is a major benefit of the Khoury Box thermal test fixture. The DUT is isolated in a localized enclosure (at temperature) with the thermal air circulated around the device under test or DUT. Tester interface utilizes impedance-matched connections to ensure true and accurate test signals between the tester, the thermal test fixture, and the DUT.