Space Testing Equipment and Services
The Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois is the premier satellite design and testing facility in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Designed to support the full life cycle of small satellite missions, LASSI offers a professional, well-equipped environment for CubeSat and space hardware development, from early design to flight readiness.
Located in the newly built Talbot Laboratory annex, LASSI provides access to a comprehensive suite of environmental and functional testing capabilities. Our equipment includes a thermal vacuum chamber, solar simulator, CG/MOI measurement system, Helmholtz cage, and more.
Lassi is designed to support the qualification and validation of space-bound hardware. External collaborators are welcome to use our facilities to advance their own mission objectives, with flexible scheduling, expert support, and access to university-grade infrastructure.
Questions?
To inquire about pricing, obtain a quote or any other questions, please send a message to: LASSI-admin@illinois.edu
Thermal Vacuum Chamber
Arriving in 2026: The custom-built thermal vacuum chamber from LACO Technologies offers a test volume of 30" x 48" and supports temperature profiles from -150 °C to +150 °C under pressures below 1×10⁻⁶ Torr. With dual thermal zones and automated cycling, it’s well-suited for small satellite qualification, thermal cycling, and outgassing evaluations. LN₂-fed cold plates and programmable profiles ensure repeatable environmental stress screening.
Solar Simulator
This OAI TriSOL system provides Class AAA illumination across a 300 mm beam spot with ±2% uniformity. Capable of simulating AM1.5 and AM0 solar spectra, the system is ideal for evaluating the performance of space-grade solar cells and optical payloads. The intuitive touchscreen interface and stable output make it suitable for research-grade irradiance testing and component burn-in.
Center of Gravity/Moment of Inertia
The high-accuracy CG/MOI measurement platform from Karakamlar Aerospace is capable of characterizing systems between 1–25 kg. The system provides CG measurement down to ±0.15 mm and moment of inertia resolution of ±0.5% + 0.002 kg·m². Measurements are available along all three principal axes and include software-corrected results with calibration traceability, making this ideal for ADCS modeling and mass properties verification.
3-Axis Helmholtz Cage
The lab's Helmholtz cage system features three orthogonal coils controlled via a Raspberry Pi interface with support for static, sweep, and direct field control modes. The system enables vector field generation up to ±100 mG with sub-milligauss resolution and real-time logging through an Alphamag magnetometer. This platform supports ADCS sensor calibration, magnetic characterization, and environmental simulation for spacecraft components.
Cleanroom Access
Constructed by Terra Universal, the 12' x 18' x 7' ISO-7 modular hardwall cleanroom is equipped with HEPA filtration, dual entry points, static-dissipative PVC panels, and LED lighting with emergency backup. This controlled environment supports satellite integration, contamination-sensitive assembly, and preflight inspection tasks in accordance with aerospace cleanliness standards.
3D Printing Services
LASSI offers precision FDM 3D printing using the Original Prusa XL with a single-tool head. With a build volume of approximately 14 liters and support for a wide range of standard thermoplastics, this system enables rapid prototyping and part fabrication for CubeSat hardware and lab tooling. Ideal for structural mock-ups or low-volume custom components, our service includes optional post-processing and material selection support.