Dual fire of LOX Methane 870 lb (395 kg) Reaction Control Engine.

White Sands Test Facility

White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) tests and analyzes potentially hazardous materials, components, and systems including Composite Pressure Systems, Critical Systems and Materials Flight Acceptance, Hypervelocity Impacts, Oxygen Systems, Propellants and Aerospace Fluids, and Propulsion Systems.

WSTF Site Info

Location

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Founded

July 6, 1963

People

300+

WSTF Director

Jason E. Noble

WSTF Core Capabilities

Rocket Propulsion Testing and Evaluation

NASA White Sands Test Facility offers numerous ambient pressure and altitude simulation stands to test rocket propulsion systems, as well as single-rocket engines.

Oxygen Systems Testing and Analysis

Comprehensive analysis, modeling and materials testing in actual environments, WSTF assists in the design and optimization of systems for spacecraft, aircraft, military, and medical applications.

Hypervelocity Impact Testing

WSTF’s Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory is an access-controlled hazardous test area capable of simulating micrometeoroid and orbital-debris impacts on spacecraft materials and components.

Propellants and Aerospace Fluids Testing and Analysis

WSTF focuses on the safety and performance of hazardous propellant systems including hypergolic fuels and hydrogen.

Composite Pressure Systems Testing and Analysis

WSTF offers leading expertise in the testing, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), and analysis of composite material structures.

Flight Acceptance Standard Testing

Flight Acceptance Standard Testing (FAST) is designed to better understand, improve, and verify the systems, capabilities, and materials used in space flight, and to ensure safety during manned space flights

Our technicians assure the cleanliness of every item.

Spaceflight Component Services

Spaceflight Component Services (SCS) specializes in the handling and processing of spaceflight and flight-like hardware.

WSTF Enabling Capabilities

Calibration Lab

The White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) Calibration Laboratory ensures that instruments used to make measurements are accurate by calibrating them against recognized standards.

Orion’s European-built service module main engine for flight has been refurbished and acceptance tested at WSTF.

Clean Room Precision Cleaning

The White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) maintains several clean rooms and large areas that can be used for test article assembly and checkout

Fabrication Services

The White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) maintains a fully integrated 18,000 ft² (1700 m²) fabrication facility. A staff of experienced machinists and welders is complemented by computer-assisted design services.

Graphics

Publications team is WSTF’s onsite resource for experienced, professional support to produce quality scientific and technical communications, graphics, photographs, video and webpage content.

Photo Video(Coming soon)

Publications maintains a full-service facility for still photography, high-speed imaging, video production and video instrumentation.

Publications (Coming Soon)

Publications provides customer support for all phases of document production. From incremental writing and editing support, to product delivery, WSTF's skilled writer/editors and assistants are available to help every step of the way.

Visit WSTF

White Sands Test Facility is an access-controlled, hazardous testing facility and visitors must be approved before accessing the property. NASA policy for entry into the facility is contingent upon the visitor's consent to inspection of their person and the property in their possession or under their control. On arrival, visitors must check in at the forward guard gate where guards can give directions to specific areas and specific entry requirements. Approval may take up to 30 days so please plan appropriately.

Visiting WSTF Information

Our Propulsion Test Area houses numerous vacuum and ambient test stands.

History

WSTF History

Established in 1963 to test propulsion systems for the Apollo spacecraft, White Sands Test Facility has supported every U.S. human space flight from Apollo to the Space Shuttle Program and the International Space Station. Because of the facility’s remote location and unique facilities, WSTF can safely design, test, and operate hazardous systems.

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