FASTRAC Thermal Vac Testing Progresses
December 7, 2004
Greg Holt
The FASTRAC Environmental Test team just returned from NASA's Johnson Space Center in preparation for a thermal vacuum developmental test campaign.
NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) has graciously agreed to donate time, equipment, and expertise to help the FASTRAC team simulate the environment of low-earth orbit in their thermal vacuum chamber. The JSC team in building 33, led by facility manager Eric Chan, met with FASTRAC team members to begin the buildup and chamber preparations for the test.
During environmental testing, the air inside the chamber is evacuated to an extremely low 0.0001 Torr - very close to the near vacuum of space. The satellites are then subjected to alternating cycles of heat and cold to simulate the effects of exposure to direct sunlight and passing through the shadow of the Earth.
The test campaign will begin on December 20th and last up to 48 hours. Valuable developmental data will be collected on the thermal equilibrium of the satellite under flight conditions. Check back soon for updates!
News Archive
December 1, 2011 - FASTRAC Digipeating Announcement by Sebastián Muñoz
March 9, 2011 - FASTRAC is Separating!! by Sebastian Muñoz
November 20, 2010 - FASTRAC Is In Orbit! by
November 19, 2010 - FASTRAC is launching Tonight!!!! by
November 2, 2010 - FASTRAC is launching this Month!!! by S. Munoz and E. Ferguson
April 19, 2010 - FASTRAC Ready to go into Space!! by Sebastian Munoz
June 26, 2008 - FASTRAC Satellites Get Updated Software, New Antennas by Stephen Clark
March 8, 2008 - FASTRAC Satellites to Set Up and Ship Out! by Eric Hagen
August 27, 2006 - Satellites Undergoing Testing at AFRL by Glenn Lightsey
June 25, 2006 - FASTRAC Satellites Leave Texas by Greg Holt
June 14, 2006 - FASTRAC Frequency Request Submitted by Glenn Lightsey
December 15, 2005 - FASTRAC Mission Receives Critical D.O.D. Ranking for Launch by Jamin Greenbaum
April 20, 2005 - FASTRAC Personnel Changes by Glenn Lightsey
January 11, 2005 - FASTRAC Victorious, Headed to Space! by Glenn Lightsey
January 7, 2005 - FASTRAC Headed to Nevada for Competition by Glenn Lightsey
January 3, 2005 - FASTRAC Satellite Completes Thermal/Vacuum Test by Glenn Lightsey
December 19, 2004 - Satellite Integration Nears Completion by Glenn Lightsey
December 7, 2004 - FASTRAC Thermal Vac Testing Progresses by Greg Holt
November 28, 2004 - Solar Cells See Sunlight by Greg Holt
July 27, 2004 - FASTRAC Separation Test aboard KC-135 a Success! by FASTRAC team
May 15, 2004 - Balloon Satellite by FASTRAC team
