The Space Environment Simulation Research Infrastructure (SESRI), also known as the "Ground-based Space Station," is the first national mega-science project in the aerospace field approved by National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), PRC. It is also a user facility open to the global scientific community. By simulating various space environmental conditions on Earth, such as vacuum, high and low temperature cycling, particle irradiation, electromagnetic radiation, dust, atomic oxygen, weak magnetic fields, and plasma, the facility enables studies of the effects of the space environment and the underlying physical mechanisms on spacecraft materials, devices, and living organisms. These simulations support the development of highly reliable, long-lifespan spacecraft and long-term human missions in space. The facility was approved by the NDRC in 2015, with construction commencing in 2017. It involved a total investment of nearly RMB 2 billion and spans an area of 350,000 square meters. The facility successfully passed national acceptance in February 2024 and is now open to both domestic and international users.
Overview
HIT’s
Institute of Space Environmental
and Physical Sciences
The SESRI comprises the Space Combined Environment Simulation and Research System, the Space Magnetic Environment Simulation and Research System, the Space Plasma Environment Simulation and Research System, and the Numerical Simulation and Central Monitoring System. The facility is dedicated to addressing major fundamental scientific and technological challenges in the field of space science, with research primarily focused on the following four areas: (1) The spatiotemporal evolution of the structure and performance of materials and devices in space combined environments, and the fundamental physical nature of environmental effects; (2) The patterns and mechanisms of life phenomena in space environments; (3) The distribution and evolution of space plasma and the physical mechanisms of its interaction with spacecraft; (4) Principles of ground-based simulation of space environments and space exploration technologies.