The 6mφ radiometer space chamber is used to simulate environments a spacecraft is exposed to in space, such as high vacuum or cryogenic temperature, for the purposes of verifying the endurance, function, and temperature, of a test item. With its diameter of 6 m, the facility allows testing on a small to middle-sized spacecraft or equipment to be loaded on a spacecraft.
It simulates the high vacuum and cryogenic environments in space respectively with vacuum pumps and shrouds covering the walls of the facility through which LN2 circulates. It is also capable of local cooling down to below −250°C by using a device called a space background.
A solar simulator, which is installed in both 13mφ and 8mφ space chambers, is not installed in this chamber, but high temperature environment can be simulated with IR heaters instead.
The facility is designed for optical properties verification tests on optical equipment on board earth observation satellites, etc. which utilizes reflection and interference of light. Due to high susceptibility to varied light incidence angles, optical properties verification tests require isolation from the ground vibration, which is achieved with the aid of an optical bench and an isolated foundation in this facility. This facility is also characterized by its clean room with a higher clean room level (ISO 14644, class7) than those of other space chambers, and a clean booth kept in a high clean level environment (ISO 14644, class5).
