Ensuring Mission Readiness: Advanced Blowing Sand & Dust Testing at Element U.S. Space & Defense

In harsh desert or arid environments, equipment must endure extreme conditions like sandstorms and high-speed dust. These challenges can damage seals, clog filters, and degrade optical components, potentially leading to mission failure if untested.

At Element U.S. Space & Defense, we test your systems under real-world conditions. Our nationwide facilities provide specialized environmental testing capabilities to ensure your hardware performs reliably where it matters most.

Precision Testing for Harsh Environments

In particular, our Orlando, FL laboratory located along the Space Coast, is equipped with both the experts and the equipment to conduct Sand & Dust testing. The facility houses chambers that are engineered to simulate these extreme environmental conditions with precision control. These capabilities allow the team to test strictly against major defense and aerospace standards, such as MIL-STD-810 and RTCA/DO-160.

Blowing Dust Capabilities

Our Blowing Dust chamber is commonly used for MIL-STD-810H, Method 510.7, Procedure I.

• Controlled Environment: It can achieve wind speeds of up to 1,750 fpm and control temperatures from 20°C to 71°C.
• Capacity: It features a 48” x 48” x 48” test item area with a total volume of 6.9 cubic meters. This ensures we can accommodate substantial hardware.
• Dry Atmosphere: To maintain test integrity, it utilizes gaseous nitrogen (gN2) to keep relative humidity at ambient or lower.

Blowing Sand Capabilities

For coarser abrasives, our Blowing Sand Chamber replicates high-velocity impact scenarios and aligns with MIL-STD-810H, Method 510.7, Procedure II.

• High-Velocity Testing: The system is capable of generating wind speeds up to 18 m/s, dependent on the opening configuration.
• Thermal Range: The chamber supports testing at temperatures from 20°C up to 85°C. This simulates the intense heat often paired with sandstorms in operational theaters.
• Large-Scale Testing: With a full chamber dimension of 27” x 32” or 28” x 40”, we can configure the test area to handle complex equipment setups.

A National Network of Testing Excellence

In addition to the Orlando laboratory, Element U.S. Space & Defense provides comprehensive environmental testing across the country.

Our facilities in Fullerton, CA and Camden, AR also offer robust sand and dust testing services. This network of test labs provides convenient access to the rigorous validation needed to ensure your technology performs when it matters most.

Practical Applications and Modern Testing Solutions

This section highlights real-world applications, technical challenges, and the strategic value of advanced sand and dust testing for defense and aerospace programs.

Engineered to Matter

At Element U.S. Space & Defense, we do not just test to spec but test for the mission. Whether you are validating avionics, ground vehicle components, or tactical gear, our testing ensures your hardware is ready for the field.

Explore our full range of capabilities:  https://www.elementdefense.com/