New Vacuum Chamber for Testing of Space Materials

Advancement in space technologies require modeling and testing of materials and devices in an environment similar to the one found in space. A team of scientists from the ISTC Project A-1229 from the Yerevan Physics Institute (YerPhI) built a new experimental facility – the Space Imitator Installation (vacuum chamber) - for the simulation of various elements of space environment.

The parameters may be applied independently or in tandem with the possibility to adjust their levels. Moreover the vacuum chamber can measure the properties of a tested object during the irradiation process. The flexibility and large range of settings make this chamber unique and attractive for developers of new space materials.

The Project team is now improving the technical parameters i.e. increasing of irradiation intensity to reduce the terms of tests, computer control and procedure of the chamber certification.

At the next stage of the project, Armenian scientists will investigate space radiation influence on the properties of semiconductors (one of the most widely used materials in Space technology), the High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), which is a very promising new technology for space applications.

The following features can be found in the vacuum chamber:

Solar ultra-violet radiation

Electron beam (up to 10 MeV)

Vacuum (about10-5 Torr.)

Cryogenic temperatures

Useful VSC volume – 0,65 m3

For companies/organizations interested in carrying out tests at the Armenian facility, please contact:

Tatiana Ryzhova, PhD

Senior Project Manager, Aerospace Research Coordinator

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Krasnoproletarskaya ulitsa 32-34,

127473 Moscow

Russian Federation

Tel.: (7-495) 982 32 80

Fax: (7-499) 978 46 37

E-mail: ryzhova@istc.ru

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