Design considerations for cryogenic pumping arrays in spacecraft-thruster interaction facilities

In general, the simulation of the space environment in ground-based facilities poses many challenges, and the study of propulsion-system-induced effects on spacecraft poses additional challenges to a facility's design due to the complex nature of thruster flows. Low facility background pressures at high mass flow rates are required to obtain meaningful interaction data. Although there is some history to draw from for the design of space simulation chambers, there are very few design philosophies for thruster-spacecraft interaction facilities. This study explores some of the more interesting design philosophies for spacecraft-thruster interaction facilities and offers general guidelines for future designs.