A research team supporting NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission needed a space simulation system capable of accurately reproducing the extreme thermal and vacuum conditions their instrument would face in deep space. Their OTES (Thermal Emission Spectrometer) hardware required stable cryogenic temperatures, high-vacuum operation, and full access for mounting, monitoring, and data collection.
To meet their requirements, we created a fully integrated Space Simulation System for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx, built around a 60″ DIA x 96″ L thermal vacuum chamber designed for deep-space environmental testing. The system includes internal shrouds for controlled thermal transfer, a vibration-isolated platen for stable instrument mounting, and liquid-nitrogen cooling for cryogenic operation. Multiple cryo ports, viewports, and feedthroughs provide flexibility for instrumentation setups, while the slide-out front-loading chamber design simplifies access during integration.
To ensure consistent and repeatable test control, the system incorporates the HVC-3500 Thermal Vacuum Controller, which offers automated vacuum sequencing, temperature control, and data logging. This configuration delivers reliable simulation of mission-critical temperature, vacuum, and thermal cycling conditions needed to qualify the OSIRIS-REx instrument prior to launch.
Thermal vacuum systems simulate the extreme conditions of space, enabling accurate validation of components, materials, and assemblies intended for orbital or deep-space missions. These systems also support thermal cycling, vacuum bake-out, and altitude simulation, allowing them to serve both space simulation and broader environmental testing needs.
Whether you are testing satellites, electronics, optics, or other mission-critical components, LACO’s TVAC platforms deliver repeatable, stable performance. In addition, every configuration aligns with NASA GSFC-STD-7000 and other key environmental test standards. As a result, your team can rely on LACO systems to support development, qualification, and pre-launch readiness with confidence.
See the Frontier system configurations below to determine which solution best fits your testing requirements:
| Chamber: | Series HI Horizontal Industrial Vacuum Chamber |
| Vacuum Rating: | 5 x 10-7 Torr |
| Chamber Dimensions: | 60″ DIA x 96″ L |
| Chamber Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Door Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Door Configuration: | Hinged |
| Seal: | O-ring |
| Controller: | HVC-3500 Thermal Vacuum Controller |
| Temperature Range: | -192º |
| Heat/Cooling Type: | Liquid nitrogen with platen and shroud delivery system |
| Pumping System: | Roots blower and two stage pump and cryo high vacuum pump |
For ultimate flexibility and control of your vacuum system, the feature-packed HVC-3500 Thermal Vacuum Controller provides automated vacuum and temperature control, customizable software, and adjustable test recipes for your unique and complex vacuum processes. The HVC-3500 is ideal for any vacuum system requiring heating or cooling, and integrates vacuum gauges and valves for either automated mode or interlocked manual mode operation.
LRS Cellular Remote Support Kit with 4G Cellular Connectivity is a small industrial VPN gateway device designed to offer easy remote access, across the internet, to LACO HVC and VC controllers. Kit includes:
The TITAN VERSA helium leak detector package is a proven solution using cutting-edge technology designed for leak detection of your TVAC systems. With its high sensitivity, the system can detect helium leak rates as low as 5×10-12 atm-cc/sec. Equipped with an internal dry membrane vacuum pump the TITAN VERSA achieves 2.5 L/sec helium pumping speed.
The TITAN VERSA is the only helium leak detector engineered and manufactured in the United States.
The Frontier TVAC LACO Infrared (LIR) Bake-out Controller System gives you control of your vacuum chamber bake-out process. This system controls the power to the heat source and uses thermocouple feedback to regulate the temperature of the vacuum chamber. The heaters are small, high power quartz lamps that operate inside of the vacuum chamber. These heaters harness the radiant heat emitted by the IR lamps, enabling them to swiftly achieve surface bake-out temperatures compared to alternative surface heating methods.
Protect your sensitive equipment from contaminants during Ultra High Vacuum (<1-6 Torr) with an LN2-based Cold Finger. With simple integration via an ISO100 port, our LN2 Cold Finger captures outgassed materials and water vapor to ensure the safe, clean, and efficient operation of your vacuum system.
Protect your sensitive equipment from contaminants during High Vacuum (<10-4 Torr) with a refrigerant-based Cold Finger. With simple integration via an ISO160 port, the Refrigerant Cold Finger captures outgassed materials and water vapor to ensure the safe, clean, and efficient operation of your vacuum system.
Customer Configurations:
