In recent years, space development activities, including lunar and Mars exploration and the commercialization of satellite constellations, have been expanding rapidly. Consequently, ensuring the reliability of space-related equipment has become increasingly important, and so has the reliability testing conducted in the development phase.
To evaluate the performance of spacecraft and satellite-mounted equipment on the ground, it is essential to conduct testing that accurately simulates the space environment. One of the most important evaluation methods is “thermal vacuum testing”, which creates both vacuum conditions and a range of temperatures, from cryogenic to high temperatures. This process is widely regarded as a critical evaluation step in the aerospace industry.
A Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) is a specialized testing system designed to simulate space conditions. It maintains a high-vacuum atmosphere while providing a wide range of temperature control. The chamber is capable of achieving a high-vacuum environment of approximately 1 × 10⁻⁶ Torr (about 1.3 × 10⁻⁴ Pa) and can cycle temperatures from -180°C to +150°C. This capability enables the chamber to be used to evaluate the reliability of equipment intended for use in space.
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| Schematic Diagram of the Thermal Vacuum Chamber |
We recently supplied our magnetic bearing turbo molecular pump with an integrated control unit, the TGkine1700M-B (pumping speed: 1,650 L/s), for use in a thermal vacuum chamber manufactured by Dynavac, a U.S.-based vacuum equipment manufacturer. The vacuum pump was provided through our affiliated company, Osaka Vacuum U.S.A., Inc., and is currently part of the vacuum pumping system of the chamber, which is used for space environment testing.
| Dynavac Thermal Vacuum Chamber |
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| Dynavac Thermal Vacuum Chamber equipped with our Turbo Molecular Pump TGkine1700M-B (Provided by Dynavac) |
The TGkine®-B series features an integrated design with a built-in controller and power supply, contributing to space-saving and simplified system configuration of a vacuum system. In addition, the use of magnetic bearings provides a low-vibration and clean vacuum environment while allowing installation in any orientation. This flexibility makes the series well-suited for high-precision testing applications, such as space simulation.
[Our Approach]
Vacuum requirements vary widely depending on the industrial field and application. Osaka Vacuum offers a broad lineup of vacuum pumps and vacuum components covering everything from high vacuum to low vacuum applications. In addition to supplying standalone products, we also provide system solutions such as pumping units, vacuum pump sets, and custom vacuum systems tailored to customer needs.
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Osaka Vacuum, Ltd. (Head Office): ☎+81-6-6203-3981
Osaka Vacuum U.S.A., Inc.: ☎ +1-510-770-0100
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