Space and Airborne Sensor Testing in a Cryogenic Test Environment at the Arnold Engineering Development Center

Performance testing of space imaging systems is crucial to meeting the requirements of such systems for all types of space applications. For over 30 years, the space chambers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) have performed space sensor characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing on space-based, interceptor, and airborne sensors. The use of infrared scene projection systems in the cryovacuum ground-test environment is essential to this testing and is a challenging task. Experiences from the space test facilities at AEDC offer lessons learned from its experience in projection technologies, optical system design, optical material characteristics and measurement (including cryodeposition), and positioning systems involved in performing ground testing of a sensor system under flight conditions.