Environmental Capabilities
The EMPL has a number of environmental chambers capable of
reproducing nearly any atmospheric conditions.
|
The
large Mars Electrostatics Chamber (MEC) on the left has a volume of
1.5 cubic meters and was designed to simulate the Martian environment
for electrostatic studies. This is a fully automated chamber with a
graphical user interface that is capable of bringing the chamber down
to 10 mbar and -90 degrees centigrade. A liquid Nitrogen cold plate
may be used to cool the 1.43 meter by 0.80 meter deck if necessary.
The deck and shroud can also be heated above 250 degrees centigrade
if a bake out is required. The atmospheric control subsystem also provides
an atmosphere of most gases at pressures from 0.01 torr up to 760 torr.
Recent additions to the automation subsystem of the chamber includes
complete automation of the temperature and pressures at any Mars latitude
during the planet's diurnal cycle. In particular, the temperature and
pressure values are all that is needed to simulate a Martian day. Camera
systems are also in place so that users can see their experiments remotely
on the web.
|
The
large walk-in Environmental Chamber
is capable of performing tests from -34 degrees centigrade to 85 degrees
centigrade at relative humidities ranging from 5% to 95%. Many triboelectric
tests are performed in this chamber since humidity is a crucial parameter.
|
The
small vacuum chamber
is also fitted with a small automated Varian vacuum chamber that is capable
of pressures from atmospheric down to 10 e-7 torr. It too can be cooled
with a liquid Nitrogen cold plate and backfilled with most gases.
|
Page and Curator
Information
Responsible NASA Official: James
Heald (James.R.Heald@nasa.gov)
Page Curator: Dr.
Carlos Calle (Carlos.I.Calle@nasa.gov)
Site Hosted on KSC
Science Server
Last Updated:
May 21, 2003