The LVTF-3 is the test facility, located in Italy where Aerospazio will perform the testing activities foreseen in the frame of the GIESEPP-MP project. It is the latest facility developed by Aerospazio and has a geometry similar to the LVTF-1 and 2 already available in Aerospazio and used in the past decades in several Electric Propulsion test campaign. It consists of a diamagnetic horizontal stainless-steel vacuum chamber equipped with two full diameter end caps which allow the introduction of large test articles. As an upgrade to other facilities, the LVTF-3 is equipped with two lateral service doors, which allow entering in the chamber without remove the main caps.
LVTF-3 test facility
The chamber is 12.5 m long and has a diameter of 3.8 m for a total volume of about 140 m3. The facility end cap is equipped with a chevron type beam target. A modular pumping system allow to throttle the pumping speed for given propellants on the specific requirements of the thrusters under investigation. The max. pumping speed achieved up to now is just above 200 kl/s on Xenon.
The test facility is operated through a Facility Control System and a Data Acquisition System based on National Instruments architecture. Redundant systems allow minimize risks and rest time in case of any failure. The FMS / DAS are placed in a separate control room. The FMS controls all pumping stages allowing automated procedures and different levels of warnings and alarms. The remote control is possible.
A high-power UPS is able to supply the test facility for short periods in case of electrical power losses so as to prevent damages on the test articles. An additional electric generator is available to fully backup the facility allowing long term operations in case of long power fails.
A Clean Room class 100.000 particulate is available for handling and inspecting the test articles before their integration into the vacuum chamber.
