Thermal Vacuum Chamber B
NASA Johnson Space Center’s Thermal Vacuum Chamber B is used for crewed space operations testing in vacuum. Space-suited astronauts practice a variety of tasks in a simulated low-gravity environment, enabled by a traversing monorail from which one suited crewmember at a time can be suspended. The chamber also has dual crew locks to provide easy access to test articles and a means of transporting crewmembers to and from the chamber.
To protect test subjects, Chamber B has a number of safety features including, but not limited to, an emergency repress system that allows air into the chamber and brings the pressure back from vacuum to sea level in 90 seconds. A fire suppression system sprays water into the chamber in the event of fire. Dual airlocks ensure that rescue personnel have immediate access to the chamber in case of mishap.
Additional test-support equipment includes an internal jib crane, mass spectrometers, infrared cameras, television cameras, and two rolling bridge cranes with a capacity of 100,000 pounds (45,360 kilograms), used to remove the chamber top and insert large test articles.
Read more about Thermal Vacuum Chamber B.
To arrange testing in this facility, please contact Jon Homan or email hq-setmo@mail.nasa.gov.