![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2014\/09\/mirror_array_in_large_space_simulator\/14812105-1-eng-GB\/Mirror_array_in_Large_Space_Simulator_small.jpg\")
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\nThis vast enclosure, made to appear larger still by an array of mirrors at its end, is ESA\u2019s Large Space Simulator.\n<\/p>\n
\nEurope\u2019s largest vacuum chamber, the LSS<\/a> subjects entire satellites to space-like conditions ahead of launch.\n<\/p>\n \nThis 15 m-high and 10 m-diameter chamber is cavernous enough to accommodate an upended double decker bus. Visitors to this year\u2019s ESTEC Open Day<\/a> will have the chance to see it for themselves.\n<\/p>\n \nSatellites are lowered down through a topside hatch. Once the top and side hatches are sealed, high-performance pumps create a vacuum a billion times lower than standard sea level atmosphere, held for weeks at a time during test runs.\n<\/p>\n \nThe 121-segment mirror array seen in the image reflects simulated sunlight into the chamber, at the same time as the walls are pumped full of \u2013190\u00b0C liquid nitrogen, together recreating the extreme thermal conditions prevailing in orbit.\n<\/p>\n \nEmbedded sensors and measurement devices check whether a mission\u2019s thermal engineers have done their job well, and if the test satellite maintains an acceptable internal temperature range without buckling or other unwanted temperature-driven effects.\n<\/p>\n \nThe LSS \u2013 seen here during a past refurbishment\u2013 is an essential part of ESA\u2019s Test Centre in the Netherlands, the largest facility of its kind in Europe, providing a complete suite of equipment for all aspects of satellite testing under a single roof.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \t\t\t\t\t \nThis vast enclosure, made to appear larger still by an array of mirrors at its end, is ESA\u2019s Large Space Simulator.\n<\/p>\n \nEurope\u2019s largest vacuum chamber, the LSS<\/a> subjects entire satellites to space-like conditions ahead of launch.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n