Raytheon APL Labs
Raytheon APL Labs
Cryogenic laboratories for satellite testing to support a launch in 2002.
Cryogenic laboratories for satellite testing to support a launch in 2002.
In 2002 I functioned as the Architectural design lead and project manager for the new Raytheon Downlink Facility. We created a 200 sheet set of drawings for a cryogenic downlink laboratory supporting a defense department satellite launch.
The facility was a clean room lab with cryogenic functionality to house two large test chambers for the satellite. The test chambers were manufactured by a third party and my task was to design a completely functional turnkey lab building that would house the enormous chambers on isolated footings for the most stringent of testing calibrations prior to launch.
*** Plans shown are excerpts by CMLLC, but photos were not allowed in 2002 due to proximity of 9/11 attacks. Photos taken years later by Forbes.
Trench Plan Sheet A150
Enlarged trench plan showing where the cryogenic chambers sit in relation to the in-trench nitrogen and other supply/waste lines.
Sections A301
Sections of previous trench plan showing the building in section and how the lab fits into the overall high bay space. The Echo chamber can be seen here in section here along with the trenching and cryogenic lines.
Cryogenic Chamber
Photo taken by Forbes of a similar facility on the same property years later. The APL lab chambers were considerably larger than these. Photos were not allowed in 2002 due to 9/11 security concerns.
