{"id":9634,"date":"2026-11-02T13:59:36","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T12:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/?post_type=anwendung&#038;p=9634"},"modified":"2026-11-02T14:39:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T13:39:58","slug":"solar-simulation-in-vacuum-chambers","status":"publish","type":"anwendung","link":"https:\/\/bf-engineering.com\/en\/application\/solar-simulation-in-vacuum-chambers\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Simulation in Vacuum Chambers"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9581,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"anwendung-kat":[86],"produkt-kat":[],"class_list":["post-9634","anwendung","type-anwendung","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","anwendung-kat-aerospace","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":{"cpt-modules":{"":null,"description":"<strong>Combining radiation and thermal boundary conditions under controlled conditions<\/strong>\r\n\r\nVacuum chambers provide a test environment with reduced ambient pressure. For thermal spacecraft testing, they are combined with additional systems: temperature-controlled internal surfaces, suitable test object supports, measurement equipment and, where required, defined irradiation.\r\n\r\nThe interaction between these components determines the conditions at the test object. Solar simulation introduces a targeted radiation load, while temperature-controlled internal surfaces influence radiative heat exchange with the surroundings.\r\n\r\nThese facilities are used to investigate the thermal design of spacecraft components and systems and to verify calculation models using measurement data. Corresponding test concepts are documented by organisations including ESA and DLR.","button":null,"text":{"title":"Why Vacuum Changes the Thermal Balance","description":"Under vacuum conditions, heat transfer through convection in the surrounding air is eliminated. Heat conduction through mechanical connections and radiative heat exchange therefore become particularly important.\r\n\r\nThe temperature of the chamber\u2019s internal surfaces, the mounting of the test object and the applied radiation jointly influence its temperature distribution. Meaningful testing therefore requires a coordinated overall thermal concept.\r\n\r\nFor irradiation, this means considering not only the light source but also the optical access and the conditions inside the chamber.","button":null},"gallery":"","references":"","tabs":[{"title":"Test Objectives","description":"<strong>Combining thermal test conditions under reduced pressure<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThermal vacuum testing combines reduced-pressure conditions with a defined thermal environment. Solar simulation or other suitable heat sources can also be used to apply specific loads to the test object.\r\n\r\nThe parameters to be combined depend on the test objective. A thermal balance test investigates the heat balance and temperature distribution under specified boundary conditions. Thermal cycling tests focus on behaviour during defined hot and cold phases.\r\n\r\nThe functionality of the test object can also be checked at selected temperature conditions. This requires defining which assemblies are active and how their internal heat generation affects the test.\r\n\r\nDLR describes these tests as supporting the development and qualification of thermal systems and the verification of numerical models.\r\n\r\nTypical test objectives:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Investigation of thermal equilibrium states<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Determination of spatial temperature distributions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Functional tests at defined temperature plateaus<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Evaluation of behaviour during thermal cycles<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Investigation of components and integrated systems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Correlation and further development of thermal calculation models<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"Irradiation","description":"<strong>Coordinating the radiation source, optical access and test object<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWith external solar simulation, radiation is introduced into the chamber through a specially designed optical interface. Actual facilities use, for example, a suitable window or a connected optical chamber section.\r\n\r\nSystem design considers more than the light source alone. The transmission properties of the optical interface also influence the radiation that actually reaches the test object. The spectrum and irradiance must therefore be evaluated at the intended reference position.\r\n\r\nFurther parameters include the usable beam area, the direction of irradiation and the angular distribution of the radiation. For three-dimensional test objects, these can result in different loads on individual surfaces.\r\n\r\nAlternatively or additionally, suitable infrared irradiation can be provided to apply thermal loads. The choice depends on the boundary conditions required for the investigation.\r\n\r\nImportant design parameters:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Spectrum and irradiance at the test object<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Dimensions and position of the usable irradiation field<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Optical properties of windows and interfaces<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Direction of irradiation and beam geometry<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Uniformity across the defined reference area<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Possible combination with additional thermal load systems<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"System Design","description":"<strong>Understanding the thermal environment as part of the test<\/strong>\r\n\r\nA thermal vacuum facility consists of several coordinated subsystems. These may include the vacuum-tight chamber, pumps, temperature-controlled internal surfaces, the test object support, irradiation equipment and instrumentation.\r\n\r\nThe temperature-controlled internal surfaces are often referred to as shrouds. They influence radiative heat exchange between the test object and its surroundings. Their temperature is therefore an essential boundary condition of the test.\r\n\r\nHeat conduction paths through mountings and cables also have an effect. The position of the test object inside the chamber can likewise be relevant, for example in relation to the irradiation area or its view of temperature-controlled surrounding surfaces.\r\n\r\nChamber geometry, thermal conditioning and irradiation are therefore considered together during planning. A clearly documented configuration makes subsequent test repetition and evaluation easier.\r\n\r\nSystem design priorities:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Usable chamber space and test object position<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Arrangement and temperature control of the shrouds<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Optical access and irradiation geometry<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Thermal properties of the test object support<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Suitable electrical and measurement feedthroughs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Accessibility for setup, inspection and maintenance<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"Measurement","description":"<strong>Documenting pressure, temperature and irradiation together<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe evaluation of a thermal vacuum test requires a complete description of the boundary conditions. In addition to test object temperatures, relevant parameters include the pressure profile, the conditions of the temperature-controlled surfaces and the irradiation settings.\r\n\r\nMeasurement points are defined according to the test purpose. They should capture thermally important areas and enable comparison with the calculation model. Sensor positions and attachment methods must be documented.\r\n\r\nThe measurement arrangement itself can also influence the result. Sensor cables can conduct heat away from or towards components, while unsuitable attachments can alter thermal contact. These influences must be considered during instrumentation.\r\n\r\nNon-contact measurements through optical interfaces must also account for the properties of the window and the selected measurement method. The measurement concept is therefore developed together with the chamber and irradiation setup.\r\n\r\nRelevant measurement and documentation parameters:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Temperatures at the test object and thermal interfaces<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Temperatures of the shrouds and, where applicable, the base plate<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pressure profile during the test phases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Irradiance and relevant spectral properties<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Operating states and internal heat generation of the test object<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Measurement point positions, sensor attachments and cable routing<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null},{"title":"Integration","description":"<strong>Establishing clear interfaces between irradiation and chamber operation<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe integration of irradiation equipment begins with an assessment of the existing chamber connections, installation space and operating conditions. For retrofits, it must be established which optical and mechanical interfaces can be used and which modifications are required.\r\n\r\nThe irradiation equipment must work in coordination with chamber operation. This includes alignment with evacuation, thermal conditioning and venting, as well as suitable enable conditions for the different operating states.\r\n\r\nThe power supply and heat removal of the irradiation equipment are also considered. Whether components are located outside or inside the chamber influences the requirements for materials, cables and the cooling concept.\r\n\r\nBF Engineering coordinates the irradiation equipment with the operator and the responsible chamber and system partners. The aim is a technically coordinated setup with defined responsibilities and clearly documented operating procedures.\r\n\r\nRelevant aspects of integration:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Existing flanges, windows and mechanical connections<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Optical coupling and alignment with the test object<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Electrical supply and cable feedthroughs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Coordination with vacuum and temperature-control systems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Enable conditions, interlocks and safety functions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Control interfaces and combined data acquisition<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Accessibility for maintenance and verification measurements<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","button":null,"image":"","tables":null}]},"contact-person_selection":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Solar Simulation in Vacuum Chambers | BF Engineering<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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