Ideal Vacuum ExploraVAC Unlimited High Vacuum & Rapid Decompression System, 3x3x3 ft, Turnkey, Sectional Design, With Chiller-Cooled Thermal Platens (–80 °C to +200 °C), & Massive 1,200 CFM Pumping Speed

At Ideal Vacuum, we custom-build each of our ExploraVAC™ Unlimited turn-key thermal high vacuum test chambers with rapid decompression capabilities and chiller-cooled platens, they are designed for cost effective easy laboratory use. This basic listing is for an ExploraVAC™ Unlimited system composed of a single sectional chamber with internal dimensions of 3x3x3 ft, having a 27 cubic feet volume, being constructed of 304L stainless-steel, and based on our expandable sectional chamber design with hinged access doors including multiple large ISO ports for easy mounting of feedthroughs, windows, and instrumentation. It includes full-pullout platens which Unistat chiller offering 9 kw of cooling and 12 kW of heating power, for precise temperature control between -80 °C to +200 °C, with thermal ramp rates ranging from 2.5 to 5° C/min. These systems with altitude simulation & rapid decompression capabilities are designed to operate above ambient atmosphere to 1100 Torr (21 psi absolute). The selected pumping system includes Leybold SV630BF rotary vane pump with WAU-2001 roots blower, with massive 1,200 CFM of pumping speed, which pulls the system down, to ultimate pressure of 10 mTorr in less than 15 seconds. These pumps provide sufficient pump down speed to meet the customer's MIL-STD 810G, DO-160, and ANSI/VITA47-2005 test requirements. All necessary equipment, such as valves, gauges, sensors, and necessary plumbing are included. Customer supplied recirculating or fresh water (3.1 gpm minimum) to cool the SV630BF pump, and compressed air (70 psi minimum) to operate the pneumatic valves, is required. This system requires one 440-480 VAC, 60 Hz, 3Ø, 85A electrical power feed.

Engineered Without Limits – Watch the ExploraVAC Trailer

The ExploraVAC™ Unlimited High Vacuum System with thermal platens and rapid decompression capabilities are turn-key platforms built for advanced altitude simulation for easy laboratory research and experimentation. Altitude simulation systems are essential tools for aerospace, defense, and high-performance manufacturing industries that need to replicate high-altitude or rapid decompression conditions here on Earth. By precisely controlling chamber pressure, these systems allow engineers to verify how components, assemblies, and complete products will perform in reduced-pressure environments. ExploraVAC™ Unlimited altitude simulation chambers are used by satellite builders, aircraft manufacturers, defense contractors, and research laboratories to ensure compliance with demanding test standards and to validate safety, reliability, and mission-readiness of critical hardware. These systems are based on our modular sectional chamber design, while providing precise, closed-loop thermal control without the need for liquid nitrogen. Two full pull-out thermal platens offer expanded load capacity with controlled heating and cooling from –80 °C to +200 °C, powered by an integrated chiller for unmatched convenience in small laboratory settings. By eliminating LN2 hookups, the system reduces operating overhead and streamlines test planning, making it an ideal choice for researchers who need reliable, repeatable, and cost-effective high vacuum performance.

In addition to standard high vacuum and thermal cycling functions, the ExploraVAC™ Unlimited system can be configured to simulate catastrophic pressure loss events, such as those that could occur during a spacecraft launch or cabin failure scenario. By reproducing sudden decompression conditions in a controlled laboratory setting, engineers can evaluate life-support systems, protective gear, and emergency devices designed to safeguard pilots and crew. This capability allows aerospace teams to validate the performance of pressure suits, oxygen delivery systems, and safety valves under realistic failure conditions—ensuring mission readiness and providing critical data to improve astronaut protection during launch and ascent.

The system is powered by the ExploraVAC™ Unlimited Control Platform with AutoExplor™ software on a side mounted control console, has a conveniently angled front panel full touchscreen interface with manual emergency-off switches, supports controlled ascent and descent in pressure for sensitive components, rapid decompression profiles, altitude flight simulations, and much more. Our AutoExplor™ software package goes beyond expectations, in fact our customers love how easy it is to use, and they learn to drive the ExploraVAC™ Unlimited system within minutes. It’s such a strong selling point that customers want to buy our systems just to have AutoExplor™ . In addition, the side mounted control console has a PLC which manages system functions including pump and valve sequencing for efficient pump down cycles and safety interlocks for preventing equipment damage. Ideal Vacuum has our UL 508A panel shop certification that qualifies us as a industrial control panel manufacturer to design, build, and label panels in compliance with UL safety standards.

Our ExploraVAC™ Unlimited systems are designed for safety & convenience with standard features including integrated inductive door switch for safety lockouts, external light override switch on control console, LED halo view windows for chamber illumination, and additional welded threaded studs for custom mounting (6 per chamber section).

Our ExploraVAC™ Unlimited Systems For Applications Of Rapid Decompression & High-Altitude Simulation

• Testing pilot and crew life-support systems, including oxygen delivery and backup safety devices
• Evaluating pressure suits, helmets, and sealing systems for integrity under sudden pressure loss
• Qualification of avionics, sensors, and electronics enclosures during rapid ascent pressure drops
• Simulating rocket ascent profiles with rapid pump-down to mimic atmospheric thinning
• Studying thermal shock effects on fuselage components as vehicles transition into near-space environments
• Validating safety valves and regulators designed to protect against overpressure or decompression failure
• Training and R&D for aerospace medicine for understanding physiological effects of rapid decompression
• Testing cargo or payload enclosures that must survive sudden altitude changes without failure

With the ExploraVAC™ Unlimited system for High-Vacuum Thermal Platen with Altitude Simulation, you’re not just buying a chamber—you’re deploying a future-proof, fully supported space simulation platform. From research labs to flight-hardware qualification, this system delivers the performance and flexibility that keep programs on schedule. It’s truly the best of the best, built to help you achieve mission success. ExploraVAC Unlimited systems are engineered for both mission-critical environmental simulation and high-performance vacuum processes. Whether you're qualifying flight hardware through altitude and thermal cycling, or running precision-controlled bakeouts, degassing, or thermal processing routines, these systems deliver the flexibility and performance needed to do it all. Unlike bulky, single-piece chambers, the ExploraVAC™ Unlimited system features a sectional architecture so large systems ship in manageable sections and assemble quickly at your site, reducing freight cost and installation complexity. Each section is engineered for precise alignment and sealed integrity, with front and rear doors, multiple viewports, and broad compatibility with integrated subsystems—so your layout matches your workflow.

ExploraVAC™ Unlimited systems are ideal platforms for altitude simulation applications as well as:

• Aircraft component testing under rapid decompression conditions
• Avionics and electronics qualification to MIL-STD-810 and DO-160 standards
• Battery and power system altitude safety testing
• Satellite and spacecraft subsystem altitude verification
• Defense equipment qualification (radios, sensors, guidance systems)
• Medical device altitude exposure studies (pumps, valves, portable electronics)
• Material outgassing and sealing verification at reduced pressures
• Environmental stress testing for high-performance industrial products

About Space Simulation:
The conditions felt in space are extreme. Satellites, CubeSats, and spacecraft experience constant high vacuum and large temperatures swings during the day-night cycle as they pass into the suns unfiltered rays and then into the earth’s cold shadow. For example, an object in low earth orbit without temperature regulation mechanisms may reach -170 °C in the night and 123 °C in the day. Due to the high cost of launching an object into space, it is crucial, and often mandatory, to rigorously test all individual components and the entire assembled device before deployment.

Summary Of High-Vacuum Thermal Platen & Altitude Testing Applications Include:

• Altitude Simulation Chamber
• Altitude Test Vacuum Chamber
• Rapid Decompression Test Chamber
• Reduced Pressure Simulation System
• MIL-STD-810 Altitude Test Chamber
• DO-160 Altitude Qualification Chamber
• Aerospace Altitude Simulation Chamber
• Vacuum Chamber for Avionics Testing
• Environmental Altitude Test System
• ExploraVAC™ Unlimited Altitude Simulation
• Thermal Cycling Vacuum System –80 °C to +200 °C
• Pilot & crew life-support system testing (oxygen delivery, emergency backups)
• Pressure suit, helmet, and seal integrity under sudden pressure loss
• Avionics, sensor, and electronics enclosure qualification during rapid ascent
• Rocket ascent pressure-drop profiles with high-speed pump-down
• Thermal shock studies on fuselage and spacecraft structures at high altitude
• Safety valve & regulator performance under decompression scenarios
• Cargo/payload enclosure durability for abrupt altitude changes
• Material outgassing & contamination studies in high vacuum
• Spectroscopy & surface physics experiments with controlled thermal platens
• Semiconductor/optical component testing under vacuum and temperature cycling