Space Power Facility Also Used To Test Mars Rovers
NASA's Glenn Research Center will conduct integrated
environmental testing of the Orion crew exploration vehicle in the
Space Power Facility at the center's Plum Brook Station in
Sandusky, OH.
The environmental tests are designed to demonstrate the ability
of Orion hardware to meet specified performance requirements in
simulated environmental conditions such as those experienced during
launch, in-orbit operations and re-entry. Thermal, acoustic and
mechanical vibration and electromagnetic compatibility testing will
be conducted on Orion's full assembly.
The launch abort system, crew module, service module and
spacecraft adapter will be tested.
The work is valued at approximately $63 million during a
five-year period from 2007 to 2011. During this period, the Space
Power Facility will be augmented with a number of capabilities,
including a new acoustic chamber and a mechanical vibration test
stand. Specialized equipment that will enable electromagnetic test
capabilities also will be added to the thermal vacuum chamber.
"We are pleased to play this essential role in the agency's
quest to develop the next generation of space vehicles," said Glenn
Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, Jr. "The Space Power Facility is the
world's largest thermal vacuum chamber. The modifications will
enhance this world-class facility and allow us to make significant
contributions to the development of future space systems."
The Space Power Facility measures 100 feet in diameter by 122
feet in height. The facility currently can simulate in-space
conditions such as low vacuum environments and temperature
extremes.
The facility's wide-ranging capabilities have been used
extensively to test rocket payload fairings; orbital hardware,
including International Space Station systems; and planetary
landing and surface systems such as the Mars Exploration Rover
landing systems.
The testing will be performed in support of NASA's Constellation
Program, which is developing spacecraft and other systems to
support NASA's exploration mission to the moon, Mars and other
destinations in the solar system, and its Orion Project Office.
Both are located at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
As ANN reported last June,
Glenn is leading development of the Orion service module for the
Orion Project Office.