Electric Space

A facility containing 15- and 25-foot-diameter space-environment tanks and support equipment is described. The facility is designed for testing ion and plasma thrustors, 10 sub -7 spacecraft, and related components at pressures in the 10 torr range. Total pumping capacity in the 10 sub -5 torr range for air has been measured at 250 000 liters per second and for hydrogen at 660 000 liters per second. The pumping systems and 28 000- square- foot liquid-nitrogen- cooled condenser are described. Data are presented on an auxiliary fast pumpdown tank that simulates ambient pressures encountered during a booster launch to 10 sub -6 torr range in approximately 2 minutes. Pertinent information concerning a spin test apparatus and thrustor installation method is also included. An electrical and instrumentation system is described consisting of 2 megawatts of 20-kilovolt direct- current power, a 2000-cable patch board network, a 600-channel thermocouple system, and a 400-channel digital data recorder. An annunciator system is provided to indicate status of operating equipment. Some aspects of safety are considered, including interlocking, personnel protection, and procedures.

Special edition of the Federal Register, containing a codification of documents of general applicability and future effect ... with ancillaries.