BEAMIDE provides thermal and thermo-vacuum testing services. The TVAC setup can operate in the temperature range of -70/+180 °C and up to a vacuum pressure of 10-7 mbar (depending on the outgassing of the samples). The company also offers humidity testing, within the temperature ranges of +10 to +95 °C and 10% to 98% relative humidity, as well as other thermal tests both locally and in collaboration with external sites, with temperature ranges up to -200/+200 °C.
Components must be tested under extreme conditions before being used in space applications. In particular, all satellite components must undergo thermo-vacuum cycles to simulate the conditions they will face in outer space. BEAMIDE offers the opportunity to perform the necessary experiments for satellite components under these extreme conditions. The thermal chamber can provide the desired temperature while the HiCube vacuum pumping system reduces the pressure to simulate space vacuum conditions. Currently, two vacuum chamber systems are available for experiments: one rectangular and one cylindrical. All tests on satellite components are conducted according to the required standards for space applications (e.g., ECSS/ESA).
The thermal chamber available at the BEAMIDE laboratory is the BINDER MKFT 720. Its temperature range can vary from -70 °C to +180 °C, adjustable and programmable to provide the required temperatures within the desired time intervals, including thermal cycling. The rapid cooling and heating allow for standard climate testing with this chamber. Samples can be placed in a vacuum chamber to perform thermo-vacuum tests. Temperatures can be monitored via thermocouples. The pressure and temperatures within the vacuum system are monitored using LabVIEW software. The chamber can also be used as a climatic chamber, as it offers the ability to regulate relative humidity between 10% and 98% within a temperature range of 10 °C to 95 °C.
The BEAMIDE vacuum system consists of a two-stage pumping station, with a rotary pump MVP 015-4 followed by a turbo pump HiPace 80, capable of reaching high vacuum pressures up to 10^-7 mbar. This pumping station is used to generate the vacuum inside a box that can be inserted into the thermal chamber, allowing for thermo-vacuum testing. Two different vacuum boxes are available, one rectangular and the other cylindrical, usable depending on the size of the samples being tested.
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Below is the combined list of ESA standards related to irradiation tests, exposure, thermo-vacuum, and RHA: these standards ensure that the materials and components used in space missions can withstand the extreme conditions of space and the effects of radiation.
You can find further details and official documents on the ECSS website.
ECSS-Q-ST-70-04C: Defines the requirements for thermo-vacuum cycling tests for materials, processes, and components intended for space vehicles. This test verifies resistance to temperature changes under vacuum (ECSS).
ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C: Describes a thermal vacuum test to determine the outgassing properties of materials. Includes design parameters, sample preparation, and acceptance criteria (ECSS).
ECSS-E-ST-10-04C: Provides design requirements for space equipment subject to irradiation testing, including total dose levels and requirements for electronic equipment (ECSS).
ECSS-E-ST-20-08C: Covers displacement damage testing for solar cells and other components sensitive to space radiation (ECSS).
ECSS-Q-ST-60-15C: Specifies the requirements for radiation hardness assurance of space products, including qualification tests and performance evaluation under radiation exposure (ESCIES).
ESCC 22900: Used for radiation testing on electronic components, for qualification and assurance of radiation hardness (ESCIES).
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