For decades, NASA’s testing chambers have been used to simulate the harsh conditions of space, allowing engineers to test the durability of spacecraft and other equipment in a controlled environment. These testing chambers, which can simulate extreme temperature or pressure environments, have played a crucial role in developing new technology for space travel, dating back to the first Apollo space mission.
Collaborating with NASA on their senior design capstone project, four mechanical and aerospace engineering students, Liam Collins ’25, James Jabbour ’25, Brady McKenna ’25 and Alexandra Vaida ’25, are gaining real-world experience building a mechanical actuator test stand for one of NASA’s testing chambers, Chamber D. Chamber D will be used to test next generation spacesuit gloves and boots at extremely low temperatures. The mechanical actuator will apply force to the test article, allowing engineers and suit designers to analyze the thermal performance of spacesuit gloves and boots as NASA prepares to return to the moon and beyond.
To gain a better understanding of their design, the team visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, meeting with engineers across various disciplines, including the Chamber D team and industry experts. The team presented their designs and received feedback from various engineers, as well as tours of the Space Environmental Simulation Laboratory and the spacesuit laboratory.
“There were small vacuum chambers to test spacesuits and big, massive vacuum chambers to test the James Webb telescope, which is hundreds of feet tall. It was incredible to see that. It’s an engineer’s candy shop. Walking in, seeing all this technology they’ve built and are using, it’s mind-blowing,” says Jabbour.
“It was interesting to see the test sites because we were able to get tours of the facility as well as meet with the engineers. The scale of all their testing was interesting to see in person and it was helpful for our capstone,” says Vaida.
“We got to meet electrical engineers, controls engineers, thermal engineers and subject matter experts. It was great to hear their perspective on our design, which helped us better understand what we’re doing and how we’re approaching it,” says McKenna.
In the past, the testing plate in the chamber remained stationary, and test operators would move test articles to touch the plate. What sets Chamber D apart from previous testing is that the contact plate moves toward the test article, rather than requiring test articles to move to the plate. This design choice gives test operators flexibility and gives the students creativity in designing a truly novel system.
“We’re trying to make it as versatile as we can so different spacesuit companies can use it for whatever test they need,” says Vaida.
“Our test stand also meets extreme temperature and vacuum requirements that many other chambers cannot, which is unique to our project,” says McKenna.
The team has been prototyping and testing their mechanical actuator for final presentations and delivery to the Johnson Space Center in May. Final presentations will take place toward the end of the 2025 spring semester.
“I am very proud of my team for how we handled the adversity. No one ever complained and we all did what we could to help each other, which was great to see,” says Collins.
“Chamber D will be the Earth’s sandbox for testing technology that will be exposed to the coldest, darkest regions of the moon and beyond,” says Stephen Baker, project manager of NASA’s Systems Test Branch. “No other chamber in the world has the combination of thermal capabilities, size, and convenience. I’m happy with the progress I’ve been seeing on this project.”
“Liam, James, Brady, and Alexandra made the most of this incredible opportunity to collaborate with NASA on testing next-gen spacesuit components. Their visit to Johnson Space Center truly highlights the value of hands-on, experiential learning,” says Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Practice Alexander Deyhim.
This article was originally published April 25, 2025 by SU Stories here.
