The 13mφ space chamber is used to simulate environments a spacecraft is exposed to in space, such as high vacuum, cryogenic temperature, or high temperature due to the intense heat from the sun, for the purposes of verifying the endurance, function, and temperature, of a test item. With its diameter of 13 m, the facility can store an entire large spacecraft inside it for testing.
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.
This facility is equipped with a solar simulator, which is a system that simulates solar light with Xe lamps whose light properties are similar to those of the sun, reflects them on a collimation mirror to make them parallel, and casts them upon a test item. This facility is precious in that it is not only the sole facility in Japan that can perform tests on a large spacecraft, but is barely found even worldwide. Its ability to provide semi-solar light enables thermal tests in space-like environments. The facility is also capable of heating a test item with IR heaters.
