Cryogenics Vacuum Systems for Space Applications

into space Where no man has gone before ... This famous phrase refers to the enormous extension of space and the fascinating objects that can be found therein. Leybold offers a broad range of vacuum technology to explore them. Vacuum pumps are needed to simulate space conditions to test the equipment for space missions. Deep space on the other hand needs to be investigated with the help of telescopes. Coating large mirrors of optical telescopes is an essential technique in which vacuum pump systems are also mandatory. The only possibility to evacuate large scale vacuum chambers within a reasonable...

Coating telescope mirrors Nowadays, mirrors of high-performance telescopes have diameters of several meters and are usually produced using coating techniques in large vacuum chambers. One example is the 8 m mirror at the Gemini telescope on Mauna Kea (Hawaii). It is not feasible to transport big mirrors to the enhanced altitudes where most of the optical telescopes are situated. Thus, big mirrors must be coated on site. Due to environmental influences, further re-coating – usually with aluminum or silver – is necessary every 1 to 2 years. At the Gemini telescope, this is performed in a 150 m³...

Leybold can equip chambers of different sizes with appropriate systems * with additional roots stage * with additional roots stage Typical configuration for space simulation chambers of different sizes. The actual pump configuration can be adapted if required by the application. chamber size in m3 chamber size in m3 COOLVAC 10.000 LEYVAC 80 COOLVAC 30.000 LEYVAC 250 COOLVAC 60.000 DRYVAC 650 chamber volume (l) chamber volume (l) Empirical diagram which describes the required pumping speed for a space simulation chamber depending on its size. A full-range vacuum supplier Leybold has a broad portfolio...

Unusual conditions demand Preparing for space missions If space equipment fails during a mission, it is nearly impossible to fix it. Such a failure would trigger astronomical costs and hence producers of space equipment are making a big effort to test their products as long as they are on earth. Space travel, scientific and commercial satellites, as well as extraterrestrial research can only be successful if all materials, components and devices involved are successfully tested under high-vacuum conditions. Extreme temperatures in space often range from -200°C to +150°C. All products for space...

Carlos III, Madrid, Spain unusual solutions Optimized solution for ion thruster testing Today, electrical propulsion is the keyword for the movement of space crafts beyond our atmosphere where the high vacuum of space is entered. In comparison to chemical propulsion systems, electrical propulsion has the advantage that the thruster material does not need to resist high temperatures. Electrical propulsion uses ionized particles, usually xenon, which are accelerated by an electric field. Xenon has the highest mass of all stable noble gases. Thus, it produces a large thrust per particle. State-of-the-art...

Vacuum Components for Space Applications DRYVAC Screw Vacuum Pumps COOLVAC vacuum pumps are refrigerator cryopumps which generate a vacuum when gaseous substances are bound to the cold surfaces within the pump by means of cryocondensation. Thanks to the pumping principle, COOLVAC cryopumps have a high effective pumping speed for all gases. RUVAC WH Roots Blowers RUVAC WH Roots pumps attain high pumping speed and best ultimate vacuum with maximum safety in modern industrial applications. The smart design of the pumps combines highest robustness with the most compact roots pump design on the market....