Vacuum technology for space applications Enabling tomorrow's space research
Many of the products we use every day can trace their origins back to space missions.
But it’s future research that will have the most profound impact on mankind. It's telling that the core objectives that space research is turning its attention to mirror some of the most pressing challenges for mankind:
- How to create abundant, powerful but clean sources of energy?
- Exploring other planets: could they support human life?
- Expanding our knowledge of science, astrobiology and the origins of our universe
- Developing new technologies, medicine, and infrastructure to support future generations
However this knowledge comes at a cost: space missions are extremely expensive and occur in the most challenging environments known to man. For this reason, it is critical that every component, process, and component that will be used in space is extensively tested. Fixing failures post-launch is often impossible and always comes with a great cost.
Our vacuum technology simulates space like conditions on earth, allowing many different and necessary tests to take place here... for use there.
Examples of pre-launch space tests taking place today
Many of the vacuum systems we design and build are tailor-made for their purpose. Here are some examples of typical space-mission tests where our technology is used.
- Electric propulsion and thruster testing
- Thermal vacuum chambers
- Telescope mirror coating
- Telescope detector cooling
- Mass degradation and vacuum bakeout
Electric propulsion and thruster testing
Allows for the testing of thrusters over long periods of time to ensure the thrusters can maintain performance levels and withstand space conditions over long-duration space missions.
Thermal vacuum chambers
All components that will be used in space must be tested for their durability to extreme temperatures as well as irradiation (light). The thermal cycling range of TVAC’s can be between 70k and 400k.
Telescope mirror coating
The recoating of large, highly sensitive mirrors in silver or aluminium needs to be redone every 1-2 years in vacuum. This is essential for their optimal performance.
Telescope detector cooling
Our cryogenic technology is used to reduce the temperature of receivers down to as low as 4k. This allows telescopes to detect beyond observable-light as well as ultraviolet, gamma and microwaves.
Mass degradation and vacuum bakeout
Total Mass Loss (TML) tests measure the degradation of elements to harsh space environments to determine their durability over long periods of time.
Allows for the testing of thrusters over long periods of time to ensure the thrusters can maintain performance levels and withstand space conditions over long-duration space missions.
All components that will be used in space must be tested for their durability to extreme temperatures as well as irradiation (light). The thermal cycling range of TVAC’s can be between 70k and 400k.
The recoating of large, highly sensitive mirrors in silver or aluminium needs to be redone every 1-2 years in vacuum. This is essential for their optimal performance.
Our cryogenic technology is used to reduce the temperature of receivers down to as low as 4k. This allows telescopes to detect beyond observable-light as well as ultraviolet, gamma and microwaves.
Total Mass Loss (TML) tests measure the degradation of elements to harsh space environments to determine their durability over long periods of time.
What vacuum technologies for which space tests?
| Fore vacuum pumps | Turbo pumps | Cryo pumps | Cryo cooling | Custom chamber | |
| Propulsion/thruster testing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Thermal vacuum chamber testing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mass degradation & bakeout | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Telescope mirror coating | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Telescope mirror cooling | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
At Leybold we are one of the only vacuum technology suppliers able to provide a true 360° range of products.
Whilst our portfolio is extensive and diverse, the solutions we provide to the space industry fall into 5 distinct equipment categories.
Fore-vacuum pumps
Those pumps are used to reduce pressure ranges from atmospheric down to 1e-2 mbar, depending on the type of pump used.
For mid- to large volume chamber excavations would typically use high throughput pumps such as:
For smaller chambers more suitable options would be:
High Vacuum (HV)
High-vacuum (HV) pressure ranges are typically achieved in the space industry using turbomolecular pumps. Our extensive range comes in various sizes, pumping speeds, and with variants tailormade for specific applications.
Cryogenic technology
Cryogenic technology consists of 3 key elements. These technologies can be configured in different ways to achieve different purposes:
- The COOLPOWER e cold heads and COOLPAK e helium compressors combine to make cryogenic refrigeration/cooling systems.
- The COOLVAC e cryogenic vacuum pumps provide UHV vacuum up to 10,000 l/s. These are often used in conjunction the COOLPOWER e & COOLPAK e for specific processes.
Vacuum chambers & systems
Our UNIVEX vacuum chambers create the real-estate where testing takes place. Some chambers are large enough to house entire spacecraft, whilst others are designed to interrogate individual elements.
As well as simulating the vacuum of space others, such as the TVAC, recreate extreme temperatures variances, or the TML which measures the loss-of-mass over long periods of time in challenging conditions.
Many of these our UNIVEX systems are tailor-made to the remits of specific projects.
Measurement & instrumentation
Building a true turnkey vacuum system also requires the installation of measurement and control technologies such as sensors, gauges and transmitters along with residual gas analyzers and leak detection systems. Additionally, we supply all types of valves, fittings and flanges which connects our technology together.
The future of space research
Perfectly balanced turnkey vacuum systems, constructed for very specific purposes, from a diverse range of vacuum solutions.
Building bespoke systems is a core principle in the development of all the technologies we create for the space sector.
As the ambitions and technical remits of future projects evolves, so does the technology that allows space research to take place. Future projects are moving on from simply considering the implications of launch-orbit-re-entry. New areas of research include:
Deep space exploration
Expanding our knowledge of planets and galaxies beyond our solar system, events soon after the big bang and understanding the origins of the universe.
Exoplanet research
Searching for planets that could, or could have, supported life. This involves both the search for extraterrestrial life as well as the feasibility of our own future interplanetary colonization.
Astrobiology
Understanding how the universe works, on micro and macro biological level, as well as expanding our knowledge in general terms research in this area will directly inform future missions.
Asteroid mining
It has been estimated that near limitless sources of natural resources and core elements exist on asteroids, access to them would bring significant economic and environmental opportunities and may provide new sources of energy for future missions.
Space debris management
With an exponential number of satellite launches planned in the coming decades, adding to the number of objects in space, multiple projects have been planned to begin the process of clearing debris in orbit around our planet.
Interplanetary colonization
Understanding if human life could be supported on other planets, how we would get there, how we would build the supporting infrastructure required, and how we would source the food and energy supplies needed to support life.
Enabling a positive future through vacuum
Collaboration and innovation are intrinsically linked. Since 1850 we, at Leybold, have been designing and building vacuum solutions that allow projects across science, industry and R&D develop tomorrows technology.
Speak to our team: our tailormade turnkey systems can enable our next mission!
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