Altitude Testing

Aircraft instrumentation and controls must function in high altitude. At 50,000 feet (15,000m), an average non-smoker looses consciousness in less than 12 seconds. The temperature will hover around 65°F (18°C). Atmospheric pressure drops to 1.689 from 14.7 on the ground. If the high-altitude environment (such as an aircraft cockpit) is warmer than outside air, humidity will rise which can obstruct vision. While we know humans can't take this type of environment unprotected, aircraft instrumentation and controls must function under high altitude circumstances, if for nothing else than to execute an emergency descent. High altitude can also cause problems in electronic devices as a result of trapped, expanding gases, increased corona effect, and many other possible issues. Altitude considerations expand to telecommunication devices placed in higher elevations, satellite hardware, packaging, and even medical devices. As a result, altitude testing is a necessity for the aerospace, telecommunications, and medical industries.

While NTS has not yet started testing human subjects in space (we'll let NASA take that job for a while), we have been performing altitude testing on products and equipment for several decades. Our capabilities include straight altitude tests up to 100,000 feet (30,000m), combined testing of altitude, temperature and humidity, as well as altitude/vibration tests and rapid and explosive decompression testing.

NTS can accommodate components, materials, subassemblies and complete devices in chambers ranging from the very small up to 8ft x 8ft x 8ft (2.4m x 2.4m x 2.4m). Our ramp up rate for standard altitude testing is 0 to 100,000 ft (30,000m) in less than 5 minutes. For explosive decompression, less than a second. Temperature capabilities range from the low -300°F (-180°C) to +400°F (+200°C). And if you want your equipment to fly in higher altitudes, our hi-vacuum, space simulation facilities will take it to 10^-6 Torr (1.3e^-7 kPa).

NTS will test to MIL-STD-202, 810; RTCA/DO-160; NEBS standards GR-63-CORE. As in any case, NTS will design and implement special set-ups and tests per your request.

Contact NTS today to find out how to get your product tested!

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