The vacuum in the space industry | JSC “Vacuummash” VACMA

Space Industry

Vacuum equipment is widely used in the space industry for testing, scientific research, and the manufacturing of spacecraft. To simulate the conditions of outer space, vacuum chambers are employed—specialized systems that create an artificial vacuum environment by removing air and other gases. They reproduce the pressure loads acting on all structural elements of a spacecraft, equivalent to those experienced during orbital flight. This enables engineers to evaluate the mechanical interaction of structural components before launch and observe how the structure behaves in the vacuum of space. Vacuum equipment is also used to determine how materials and components change under space conditions and how these changes may affect spacecraft performance. In addition, it is used to conduct strength and leak-tightness testing to detect leaks that could lead to depressurization and structural failure.

Область применения вакуумного оборудования Официальный сайт Vacma (Вакма).jpg

■ Vacuum chambers can simulate extreme temperature fluctuations, radiation exposure, and other environmental factors characteristic of outer space. Today, thermal vacuum testing of space hardware remains the most objective method of verifying leak-tightness under ground-based conditions.

■ Vacuum chambers create an environment that closely replicates space conditions, including high vacuum, cryogenic temperatures, intense radiation, and other environmental factors. This allows testing and experimentation on spacecraft and payloads before launch, verifying their performance under conditions that closely resemble the actual space environment. Vacuum technologies are also used in the manufacture of lightweight, high-strength structures for micro- and nanosatellites, as well as flexible thin-film solar arrays.

■ Vacuum chambers reproduce the environmental loads encountered in space, including temperature extremes, vacuum, radiation, and other factors. Both complete spacecraft and individual components are tested separately. Components of spacecraft and satellites are evaluated under conditions that closely match those they will experience in orbit, including:

Electronics – verification of reliable operation of electronic equipment under high and low temperatures in a vacuum.
Materials – assessment of material resistance to thermal cycling under vacuum conditions.
Optical systems – evaluation of the performance and characteristics of optical instruments in a space-like environment.
Mechanical assemblies – testing of moving parts to ensure reliable operation under high and low temperatures in a vacuum.

Main Types of Vacuum Chambers Used in the Space Industry

■ Box-type vacuum chambers. Capable of achieving pressures as low as 100 nanopascals (nPa), suitable for ultra-high vacuum applications. They are used in advanced materials research and development.

■ Spherical vacuum chambers. Their geometry provides uniform stress distribution, making them ideal for high-precision testing, such as laser-related applications.

■ Cylindrical vacuum chambers. Available in both vertical and horizontal configurations. They are commonly used for processes such as degassing and helium leak testing.

■ Bell-jar vacuum chambers. Characterized by their dome-shaped enclosure, these chambers are well suited for high-temperature applications. They are commonly manufactured from durable materials such as Pyrex® glass or stainless steel.

■ Deep vacuum chambers (Space Simulation Chambers). Designed to reproduce the cold vacuum environment of outer space. They are used for satellite testing, thermal vacuum cycling, and qualification of components, subsystems, and fully integrated spacecraft in a fully controlled environment.

Suitable vacuum equipment

Oil-free (dry) spiral vacuum pumps Dual-rotor vacuum pumps of the Roots type Two-rotor vacuum oil units Two-rotor vacuum dry units Screw vacuum pumps Turbomolecular vacuum pumps Cryogenic pumps Multi-stage vacuum pumps Booster vacuum pumps Diffusion vacuum pumps Vacuum valves, closures and traps

JSC Vacuummash (VACMA) designs and manufactures a wide range of vacuum equipment for industrial applications.

■ Vacuum pumps and pumping systems, vacuum valves, and gate valves for a variety of applications in the nuclear industry.
■ To select the most suitable equipment and receive a quotation based on your specific process requirements, please contact us using the details provided on our website.
■ Our specialists will help you choose the optimum vacuum equipment, while our engineering team will develop a customized technical solution tailored to your specific application and operational requirements.

➜ The experts at JSC Vacuummash (VACMA) will help you select the optimum vacuum equipment—direct from the manufacturer at competitive prices.
➜ Browse the Vacuum Equipment Catalog on the Official VACMA.RU Website

+7 (843) 278-35-27 kazan@vacma.ru JSC Vacuummash (Vacma) plant: 58 Tulskaya St., Kazan, 420054, Russian Federation