The National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) supports the assembly, integration and testing of space payloads and satellites weighing up to seven tonnes.
Facility activities
The facility will host the following activities:
Large satellite preparation and solar array deployment
Large clean rooms and associated electrical and mechanical ground support equipment will support the preparation and checking of satellites before and between tests. These rooms will also be used for solar array deployment tests and satellite integration.
Centre of gravity and moments of inertia
This facility can be used to measure a satellite’s mass properties, as well as moments of inertia and products of inertia, to ensure that it is consistent with design parameters.
Vibration
To simulate the stresses of a launch sequence, the vibration test facility will vibrate satellites in three axes over a frequency range of five to 200 Hertz and acceleration levels up to 1.5g for a seven tonne spacecraft.
Shock test
For large spacecraft, a combination of accelerometers and high-speed video can be used to assess the effect of launcher separation and deployment of solar panels or antennas.
Acoustic testing
This test facility will simulate the acoustic environment inside the delivery rocket during the initial seconds of a launch sequence. Noise levels inside the facility will typically reach 147 adjusted decibels with a frequency content range of 20 to 10,000 Hertz.
Large space test chamber
A bespoke seven metre diameter by 12 metre long thermal vacuum chamber will simulate the vacuum and thermal conditions in space. It will consist of a cylindrical vacuum vessel lined with temperature-controlled panels.
Electromagnetic compatibility and antenna test
An electrically clean environment will allow satellite electromagnetic emissions to be accurately measured. It will contain a planar near-field scanner to measure the performance of antennas used for communications between the satellite and ground stations.