The Combined Effects Chamber (CEC) is a space-environment test chamber 25 ft in diameter with a 20 ft-diameter door. The design and construction of this facility allows large-scale liquid hydrogen (LH2) experiments to be conducted safely. Control and data systems are located in a separate, remote building and electrical control systems include explosion-proof hardware.
Other features of CEC include a removable LH2/LN2 cryogenic cold wall which can simulate deep space temperatures down to -423°F, vacuum-jacketed LH2 piping and chamber penetrations, a hydraulic shaker system, a vacuum-jacketed LH2 dump line and burnoff stack to handle accidental LH2 spills inside the chamber.
The CEC plays an essential role in the development of advanced insulation systems and on-orbit fluid transfer techniques for flight weight cryogenic fuel tanks and insulation systems.
The CEC is currently being considered for use as a Planetary Surface Simulation Test Facility, due to the chamber’s size and ease of access through the 20 foot hatch.
