Project Title: Thermal Vacuum Spacesuit Component Level Testing: Chamber D Actuation System
Project Summary: In partnership with the CTSD Jacobs/Amentum group at NASA Johnson Space Center, this team developed a thermal vacuum test stand to evaluate the thermal integrity of spacesuit components under extreme lunar conditions. Designed for use in Chamber D, the stand features a linear actuation mechanism that simulates contact with spacesuit boots and gloves at temperatures of 40K
and below—representative of permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) on the Moon. The system interfaces with a liquid water loop, a gaseous nitrogen loop, and instrumentation to mimic the thermal loads of a human foot and hand. This innovation advances NASA’s ability to conduct unmanned, component-level testing with greater accuracy, consistency, and repeatability. With the lowest achievable pressure level of 10-9 torr and temperature of 15K, the system addresses gaps in extreme thermal vacuum testing. It provides a modular, scalable solution for future spacesuit development, emphasizing material resilience, engineering precision, and adaptability for evolving test requirements. The test stand will not only provide insight into current spacesuit designs but will also lay the foundation for further innovation in space exploration technologies, contributing to safer, more effective spacesuit designs for future Artemis missions and beyond.
