Space Environment Simulation Laboratory

Space Environment Simulation Laboratory

The 2TV-1 Apollo spacecraft in Chamber A 1968
Location Houston, Texas
Coordinates 29°33′38″N 95°5′17″W / 29.56056°N 95.08806°W / 29.56056; -95.08806Coordinates: 29°33′38″N 95°5′17″W / 29.56056°N 95.08806°W / 29.56056; -95.08806
Built 1965
NRHP Reference # 85002810
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 3, 1985[1]
Designated NHL October 3, 1985[2]

The Space Environment Simulation Laboratory (SESL) in Building 32 at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center was built in 1965. It initially was used to test Apollo Program spacecraft and equipment in a space environment. It can simulate the vacuum and thermal environments that would be encountered. It consists of two human-rated chambers: A (larger) and B. Chamber A is equipped with a gaseous helium shroud capable of reaching temperatures of -439.9 Fahrenheit (-262.1 Celsius or 11 Kelvin,) and is currently being used to test the James Webb Space Telescope.[3]

References

  1. National Park Service (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. "Space Environment Simulation Laboratory, Chambers A and B". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  3. Rob Gutro (2013). "NASA Readies Famous "Chamber A" to Welcome the James Webb Space Telescope".
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