Orlando, FL

Environmental Testing Laboratory in Orlando, FL

Whether it’s solar cells exposed to intense sunlight or satellite components enduring extreme thermal swings in space, countless products must be rigorously tested to prove their performance in some of the world’s harshest environments. For companies that design, develop and manufacture these components, there’s no substitute for the comprehensive environmental simulation testing offered by our certified laboratory in Orlando.

Environmental testing ensures products meet all applicable contract and regulatory requirements—such as MIL-STD-810 for military items or RTCA/DO-160 and IPX standards for commercial equipment. Stringent testing also helps manufacturers distinguish themselves with best-in-class product offerings. By identifying flaws and weaknesses early in the R&D phase, companies can bring more robust products to market—enhancing credibility, boosting marketability and strengthening overall brand reputation among key stakeholders.

Our Orlando, Fla. facility offers a wide range of environmental testing capabilities, including temperature, humidity, altitude, rapid decompression, thermal vacuum, explosive atmosphere, solar heating effects, thermal shock, blowing sand, dust, rain and salt fog. Our team of experts can also operate controls—such as buttons, switches and joysticks—under harsh conditions that are unsafe for human presence, with more precise manipulation available via a Meca500 robotic arm.

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• Altitude – up to 100k ft., rapid and explosive decompression
• Thermal Vacuum Testing up to 1ex10^-7 Torr
• Overpressure up to 65 psi positive pressure
• Combined Environments, Temperature, Altitude, & Humidity
• Environmental Stress Screening (ESS)
• Explosive Atmosphere – 3'-diameter x 4′ chamber, to 71°C & 50,000 ft. altitude
• Immersion – vessels up to 48″ x 60″ x 60″
• Spray, Drip, and Rain (wind to 40 mph, 4-inch/hour typical rate)
• IPX3, IPX4, IPX5, IPX6, IPX7 Waterproofness Testing
• Salt Fog – 30 ft³ & 73 ft³ salt fog chambers
• Blowing Sand & Blowing Dust
• Temperature & Humidity – 4′ x 5′ x 8′ walk-in chamber & smaller
• Thermal Shock
• Solar (heating effects)
• Icing or Freeze/Thaw
• Fluid Contamination

Dynamics Testing Laboratory in Orlando, FL

From acceleration and mechanical shock testing (free-fall and shaker) to transportation simulation to drop testing and vibration testing, this facility can do it all. Our comprehensive dynamics testing capabilities include:

• Acceleration, 27-inch radius centrifuge, max 400 rpm, 30 slip-ring electrical connections
• Electro-dynamic vibration to 23,000 lbf, up to 3" displacement
• Mechanical Shock, freefall up to 6kG and shaker -- classical and SRS
• Loose Cargo
• Bench Handling
• Transit Drop

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Hydraulics Testing

For client hydraulics testing needs, we perform endurance, impulse, burst and proof pressure, cracking and reseat pressure, high and low temperature (fluid and/or environment), leakage and cold start testing. Depending on test media and other variables, pressures of up to 10,000 PSIG, temperatures from -55°C to 135°C or flow of up to 200 GPM can be achieved. Phosphate Ester (Skydrol) and Hydrocarbon (Red Oil) test stands are also available. Common test specifications include SAE ARP4378, SAE ARP4946, and SAEARP1383. Key hydraulics testing capabilities include:

• Burst & Proof Pressure: Up to 60,000 PSIG
• Cracking & Reseat Pressure: Up to 8,000 PSIG
• Leakage: Up to 8,000 PSIG
• Endurance: Up to 6,000 PSIG with Hydrocarbon (red oil). Up to 7,500 PSIG with Phosphate Ester (Skydrol)
• Impulse: Up to 6,000 PSIG with Hydrocarbon (red oil). Up to 7,500 PSIG with Phosphate Ester (Skydrol)
• Cold Start: Up to 3,000 PSIG at 5 GPM
• Combined Environments (pressure with either temperature or vibration)
  • Temperature: 4,000 PSIG at 8 GPM with Hydrocarbon (red oil), OR 5,500 PSIG at 20 GPM with Phosphate Ester (Skydrol)
  • Vibration: 4,000 PSIG at 8 GPM with Hydrocarbon (red oil), OR 3,000 PSIG at 12 GPM with Phosphate Ester (Skydrol)
• Hydrostatic capability: Hydrocarbon (red oil)/water to 70,000 PSIG, OR Phosphate Ester (Skydrol)/water to 75,000 PSIG
• High speed data acquisition and control using National Instrument Hardware and LabVIEW software – record at 1 kHz, control at 2 Hz

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EMI Testing Laboratory in Orlando, FL

Element U.S. Space & Defense is a trusted and key partner to aerospace, defense, medical and commercial clients. From our two Orlando locations, we deliver complete dynamic, climatic, EMI and hydraulic testing services—executed with a relentless commitment to quality and precision. This dedication is validated by our A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation.

Element U.S. Space & Defense’s facilities form a large network of EMC/EMI testing laboratories across North America. This means we have the experience to deliver customized testing services designed to fully meet the requirements of FCC standards, DoD military specifications and CE certification for the European Union and beyond.

In addition, backed by our A2LA electrical 0214.47 and mechanical 0214.46 accreditations, our Orlando lab maintains five shielded enclosures, as well as a broad variety of test equipment to help you achieve your Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)test objectives. Our team of highly experienced engineers and technical specialists execute tests related to defense (MIL-STD-461) and aerospace (RTCA/DO-160) standards as well as a variety of similar specifications.

The facility is accredited by A2LA to the ISO/IEC 17025Standard for Laboratory Accreditation, which means our testing methods, data collection and equipment calibration are all verified by third-party independent auditors.

With the latest EMC/EMI equipment’s ability to replicate some of the most extreme limits, our EMI testing capabilities include but are not limited to:

• Servicing the defense, aerospace, space and consumer electronics industries
• Radiated Susceptibility ~ 200 V/m, frequency range 10 kHz to 40 GHz
• Radiated Emissions ~ 30 Hz to 18 GHz
• Compact 3-meter screen room
• MIL/AERO semi-anechoic chambers
• Extended ground plane test beds
• Indirect Lightning-single stroke, multiple stroke, multiple burst, Level 3 RTCA/DO-160 for all waveforms
• Electrical power characteristics testing to MIL-STD-704 and RTCA/DO-160 Section 16
• Electrostatic discharge up to 30 kV

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Indirect Effects Lightning

When it comes to the latest and most reliable testing methods, you can count on Element U.S. Space & Defense’s facilities to be at the forefront of innovation. This includes benchmarking for the indirect effects of lightning, which—under real-world conditions—can generate intense electromagnetic fields capable of severely damaging sensitive components and systems up to a kilometer from the strike location.

In our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of our customers, we are adding the equipment necessary for indirect effects lightning testing at our Orlando testing facility. Testing will be conducted to RTCA/DO-160, Section22, all waveforms up to Level 3, MIL-STD-461G, and ARP 5414 Section 6.

Our testing methods are in accordance with RTCA, U.S.MIL-STDs and various other leading industry standards. Our Orlando indirect-effects testing lab houses equipment that is capable of comprehensive transient and field analysis, ranging from individual circuits to fully operational interconnected systems.

To help determine the cumulative indirect effects of lightning strikes on your equipment, our engineers are able to apply tests that include the following methods:

• Transformer injection
• Pin injection
• Ground-circuit injection