The building has eight vacuum chambers and five bell jars for fundamental research. Its chambers use different pumping systems to suit test requirements, and the building includes more than 20,000 square feet of specialty labs, build-up space and machine shop area, NASA says. [S1]
The work has a human side as well as a technical one: NASA describes technicians adjusting wiring on Vacuum Facility 52 and preparing hardware for installation in Vacuum Facility 1. In Vacuum Facility 7, NASA says one-foot-thick concrete surrounds the test bed, supporting research where safety can be a concern, including thrusters using hydrogen propellant. [S1]
NASA says research begun at the building on concepts or components leads to system-level or higher-fidelity tests in larger facilities. The agency presents that progression as a way to use those facilities effectively and conduct research cost-effectively. [S1]
Source documents
- Electric Propulsion Research Buildinghttps://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/glenn/electric-propulsion-research-building/