LEO Synergistic Environment Simulation Facility (T-Vac-AO-VUV-Load)
The Ning Research Group’s LEO Synergistic Environment Simulation Facility provides ground-based testing of materials, components, and systems under the combined environmental conditions encountered in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The facility integrates high vacuum, dynamic thermal cycling, atomic oxygen (AO), vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation, mechanical loading, and in-situ diagnostics, allowing researchers to evaluate how space systems respond to multiple environmental effects individually or in combination.
With multiple chambers ranging from small-scale material testing systems to a 60-inch-diameter, 96-inch-long environmental and mechanical simulation chamber, the facility supports testing across a range of specimen and component sizes. Integrated mechanical loading and optical diagnostics, including quasi-static and high-speed cameras for digital image correlation (DIC), enable material and structural behavior to be measured while specimens are exposed to simulated space environments.
Questions?
To inquire about pricing, obtain a quote or any other questions, please send a message to the PI: Xin Ning, xning@illinois.edu.
Key Capabilities
- High vacuum: down to 10⁻⁷ torr
- Thermal cycling: −80°C to +170°C
- Atomic oxygen: ~5 eV kinetic energy, 10–20× orbital AO flux at 400 km, 80–90% AO purity
- Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV): solar radiation at wavelengths <200 nm
- In-situ mechanical loading
- Digital Image Correlation (DIC): 6 quasi-static and 2 high-speed cameras
- Electrical connections for in-situ testing and diagnostics
Synergistic LEO Environment Simulation
30 in. diameter × 39 in. length
Primary system for combined thermal-vacuum, atomic oxygen, VUV radiation, and other LEO environmental exposures.
Large-scale Environmental and Mechanical Simulation
60 in. diameter × 96 in. length
Large-volume chamber designed to accommodate larger specimens and integrate environmental exposure with mechanical testing and optical diagnostics.
Vacuum/VUV Chamber
10 × 10 × 10 in.
Compact chamber for controlled vacuum and VUV exposure testing.
Transparent Vacuum Chamber
22 in. W × 22 in. D × 26 in. H internal dimensions
Transparent chamber providing optical access for vacuum experiments and in-situ observation.
Primary Applications
LEO Space Environment Testing
- Space materials and coatings
- Spacecraft components and structures
- Combined environmental exposure testing
- Atomic oxygen degradation studies
- VUV exposure testing
- Thermal-vacuum testing
- In-situ mechanical and structural characterization