Kennedy Space Center Enhances Altitude Chamber for Artemis II Spacecraft Trials

Kennedy Space Center Enhances Altitude Chamber for Artemis II Spacecraft Trials
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 12, 2024

As NASA prepares for the Artemis II mission, the Orion spacecraft is set for extensive testing to ensure its readiness for lunar exploration. Engineers at Kennedy Space Center have recently upgraded the altitude chamber used for these tests. The upgrades were made in anticipation of the testing phase, ensuring the spacecraft endures conditions similar to those it will face in space.

The primary testing ground is the high bay altitude chambers in the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building. Starting April 10, the tests have included evaluations of electromagnetic interference and compatibility to confirm the spacecraft's performance under both internally and externally generated electromagnetic energies.

Significant improvements were made to the west altitude chamber to facilitate testing in a simulated vacuum environment mimicking altitudes up to 250,000 feet. These enhancements have revitalized the altitude chamber testing capabilities for Orion, a procedure previously conducted at NASA's Glenn Research Center for Artemis I. Moreover, a 30-ton crane has been installed in the O&C for maneuvering the spacecraft within the facility.

On April 4, the Artemis II spacecraft was placed inside the altitude chamber, marking a milestone as it was the first human-rated spacecraft to undergo testing there since the Apollo missions. Post-testing, the spacecraft will proceed to the Final Assembly and Systems Testing (FAST) cell for further preparation, with a follow-up test scheduled for later this summer to simulate deep space vacuum conditions.

Historically, these chambers were integral during the Apollo Program for testing environmental and life support systems. Post-Apollo, they were utilized for Shuttle program leak tests on modules destined for the International Space Station. Upgrades to the west chamber include a new oxygen deficiency monitoring system, LED lighting, a modernized pressure control system, and enhanced safety features like new guardrails and service platforms.

An updated control room now supports the operation of these sophisticated systems, allowing precise management of the vacuum testing processes.

Marie Reed, the West Altitude Chamber Reactivation Project Manager, highlighted the team effort involving over 70 professionals from NASA, Lockheed Martin, Arctic Slope Research Corps, and Jacobs Engineering. "It was an amazing opportunity to lead a diverse and exceptional team to re-activate a capability for testing NASA's next-generation spacecraft that will carry humans back to the Moon," she said.

The Artemis II mission aims to orbit four astronauts around the Moon for a 10-day test flight, evaluating the Orion's life support systems in preparation for subsequent missions. This endeavor is a part of NASA's broader Artemis campaign to return humans to the Moon, focusing on the lunar South Pole.