Spacecraft mounted on a launch vehicle are exposed to vibrations, acoustic loads, shocks, and other severe environments during liftoff. Once in space, they must continue to perform reliably under thermal and ultra-high vacuum conditions. The Environmental Test Technology Unit operates a range of ground-based environmental test facilities that simulate these launch and in‑orbit environments to evaluate and verify the spacecraft’s durability and performance.
Acoustic
Used to simulate the acoustic environment by generating intense sounds to verify the acoustic resistance and vibration characteristics of spacecraft.
Vibration
Used to simulate the vibration environment by powerful vibration exciters to verify the vibration resistance and characteristics of spacecraft.
Shock
Used to simulate a shock environment by activating separation devices to verify the shock resistance of spacecraft.
Acceleration
Used to test the durability and verify the performance of spacecraft by applying acceleration using centrifugal force.
Thermal Vacuum
Used to validate the durability of spacecraft in the vacuum and thermal environment of space.
Radio Wave & Magnetic
Used to test the radiowave performance of spacecraft and to measure the magnitic characteristics.
Function & Performance
Used to measure and verify the mass, center of gravity, moment of inertia, and alignment of spacecraft.
