SRON has Thermal Vacuum Chambers where we simulate conditions similar to those expected in space. This allows us to test how instruments and components perform in a vacuum at space temperatures.
Thermal Vacuum chamber
SRON developed the Thermal Vacuum Chamber in Groningen in collaboration with partners as part of the cleanroom. We can use it to test instruments in vacuum and at temperatures similar to those expected in space. The optical signals from space are also provided in the simulator, enabling full end-to-end verification. This TVc has been used, for example, to fully characterise the behaviour of cameras from ESA’s exoplanet observatory PLATO, and subsequently to characterise components of the VenSpec-H instrument for ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus.
Thermal Vacuum tank
We also have a thermal vacuum tank in the cleanroom in Leiden. This has been used, for example, to test the short-wave infrared cameras for the Dutch TANGO mission.
