EnviroLux Energy Systems Lights Up Altitude Testing Chamber At Kennedy Space Center

The altitude chamber at Kennedy Space was built in 1965 to simulate deep space vacuum conditions and test life support systems for the Apollo and Lunar modules. The Silo drops beneath the ground several stories. The testing could never be done with visible light because of the fear that the components inside the lighting fixtures would outgas and cause severe damage to the space craft. Therefore, all tests were completed by instrumentation only to collect the required data necessary for engineering study.

Fast forward to the Orion-Artemis project, where NASA wanted to revitalize the Altitude Chamber's testing capabilities which included the hopes of being able to utilize LED lighting to visualize the deep space simulations of the Orion spacecraft. NASA questered us if we could design and build a lighting system that could potentially be utilized during deep space simulations that would not outgas. During our site visit at Kennedy Space Center after the first prototype was installed, Deb and I met with the lead engineer, who asked if we wanted to go inside the Silo and view the prototype that had been installed. They installed the prototype at the very bottom layer of the Silo. We had to walk down a winding staircase that circled the inside of the silo, of which utilized chain as a safety railing. I had the iPhone video rolling to collect footage of the interior of the silo, and quickly realized I had just better keep my eyes fixated on the stairs in front of me.

NASA then proceeded to run the vacuum chamber continuously (empty) for two weeks to determine if the prototype would or would not outgas. Afterwards, part of the determination process was NASA sending the prototype to an independent Laboratory in California to conduct tests on every component, and research if any evidence of outgassing had occurred. After several weeks, a 300 plus page report emerged that NASA provided me, with all kinds of charts and data that I would never be able to disseminate, The only verbiage in laymen terms that I could understand from the report other than the report Title, was the word PASSED.

We then went into full production, manufactured the remaining LED lighting required to produce the amount of light necessary for testing, which were then installed over a several week period. And now, deep space simulations of the Orion Space Capsule, designed for the Artemis rocket are currently underway at NASA, which can now be viewed by the human eye. This will also benefit future generations of Space Capsule designs and their engineers conducting deep space simulations.

Other Upgrades to the Chamber include enhanced safety features like new stair guardrails and service platforms. I can vouch for the guardrails being a great investment.