NASA White Sands Test Facility
Las Cruces, NM
The mission of the NASA Johnson Space Center Metallurgy and NDE Laboratory at White Sands Test Facility is to provide test and evaluation support ensuring components fulfill design requirements for programs, governments, manufacturers, and other strategic partners. While NASA does not compete with the private sector, we can provide services to other government agencies and to non-governmental customers in cases where one of our unique capabilities or a unique combination of capabilities is needed to solve a specific problem.
Our mission is supported by experienced engineers, scientists, and technologists with degrees, certifications, and expertise in:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Nondestructive Evaluation
- Mechanical Engineering
- Propellant Testing
- Chemistry
NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION CAPABILITIES
+ Radiographic Testing (RT)
- Laboratory and Remote Inspections
- Two Shielded Exposure Facilities
- 160-kV & 300-kV RT Sources
- Automated Film Processor
- Radiograph Film Digitizer
- Digital Radiography (DR)
- Film Radiography
- Personnel Certification: Level 3*
+ Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
- Immersion Equipment with C-scan Capability
- Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)
- Ultrasonic Liquid Level Measurement
- Ultrasonic Thickness & Flaw Testers
- Personnel Certification: Level 3*
+ Penetrant & Magnetic Particle Inspection (PT & MT)
- Fluorescent and Visible Mediums for Both Methods
- Personnel Certification: Level 3*
+ Infrared Thermography Inspection (IR)
- Flash, Through-Transmission, Pressurized, Heat-Soak, and - Principle Component Analysis Methods
+ Laser Shearography (LS)
- Pressure & Thermal Techniques
+ Eddy Current Testing (ET)
- Flaw Detection and Thickness Measurement Methods
- Eddy Current Array (ECA) Testing
+ Visual Testing (VT)
- Personnel Certification: Level 3, Composites*
- Comprehensive Borescope Capabilities
* Levels denote SNT-TC-1A & NAS-410
Since Composite Pressure Vessel (CPV) testing first began at WSTF in the 1970’s, teams led by WSTF have been on the forefront of NASA efforts to push inspection
technology forward to address aerospace
needs resulting in world-leading technologies.
+ Robotic Pressure Vessel Inspections
- Flaw detection and sizing in pressure vessels (PVs) smaller than standard NDE, with interior and exterior surface-riding ET capabilities
- Surface Mapping of PV interiors and exteriors
- Buckle mapping through composite
- Spherical PV interior surface mapping
- Thickness mapping of wrapped PVs and coatings
+ Modal Acoustic Emission NDT
- Experience with CPV structural integrity evaluations in service to the Space Shuttle Program, International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, and Orion
Since 1963, White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has conducted hazardous testing for NASA at a secure and remote 60,000-acre location near Las Cruces, NM where the arid climate is ideal for year-round testing. WSTF has made broad contributions to Apollo, the Space Shuttle and its return to flight, International Space Station, and manned spaceflight in general – a tradition that continues with support to Orion and the Commercial Crew Program.
Through 50+ years of continuous support, WSTF has earned preeminence agency-wide for the following core capabilities:
- Propellants & Aerospace Fluids Testing & Analysis
- Composite Pressure Systems Testing and Analysis
- Precision Cleaning and Component Services
- Rocket Propulsion Testing & Evaluation
- Oxygen Systems Testing & Analysis
- Materials Flight Acceptance Testing
- Hypervelocity Impact Testing
Worker safety is paramount. WSTF is one of only about 2000 worksites in the U.S. with recognition as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star site.
Quality and security are key. WSTF meets stringent ISO-9001 quality and ISO-14001 environmental requirements. In 2019, Booz Allen Hamilton recognized WSTF as one of the most trustworthy NASA facilities for safeguarding information.
Unique WSTF capabilities and tech are available for strategic partnership. Contact us for further information.
NASA Materials & NDE Laboratory Manager
Charles Nichols
Phone: 575-524-5389
Email: charles.nichols@nasa.gov
Our mission is supported by experienced engineers, scientists, and technologists with degrees, certifications, and expertise in:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Nondestructive Evaluation
- Mechanical Engineering
- Propellant Testing
- Chemistry
NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION CAPABILITIES
+ Radiographic Testing (RT)
- Laboratory and Remote Inspections
- Two Shielded Exposure Facilities
- 160-kV & 300-kV RT Sources
- Automated Film Processor
- Radiograph Film Digitizer
- Digital Radiography (DR)
- Film Radiography
- Personnel Certification: Level 3*
+ Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
- Immersion Equipment with C-scan Capability
- Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)
- Ultrasonic Liquid Level Measurement
- Ultrasonic Thickness & Flaw Testers
- Personnel Certification: Level 3*
+ Penetrant & Magnetic Particle Inspection (PT & MT)
- Fluorescent and Visible Mediums for Both Methods
- Personnel Certification: Level 3*
+ Infrared Thermography Inspection (IR)
- Flash, Through-Transmission, Pressurized, Heat-Soak, and - Principle Component Analysis Methods
+ Laser Shearography (LS)
- Pressure & Thermal Techniques
+ Eddy Current Testing (ET)
- Flaw Detection and Thickness Measurement Methods
- Eddy Current Array (ECA) Testing
+ Visual Testing (VT)
- Personnel Certification: Level 3, Composites*
- Comprehensive Borescope Capabilities
* Levels denote SNT-TC-1A & NAS-410
Since Composite Pressure Vessel (CPV) testing first began at WSTF in the 1970’s, teams led by WSTF have been on the forefront of NASA efforts to push inspection
technology forward to address aerospace
needs resulting in world-leading technologies.
+ Robotic Pressure Vessel Inspections
- Flaw detection and sizing in pressure vessels (PVs) smaller than standard NDE, with interior and exterior surface-riding ET capabilities
- Surface Mapping of PV interiors and exteriors
- Buckle mapping through composite
- Spherical PV interior surface mapping
- Thickness mapping of wrapped PVs and coatings
+ Modal Acoustic Emission NDT
- Experience with CPV structural integrity evaluations in service to the Space Shuttle Program, International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, and Orion
Since 1963, White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) has conducted hazardous testing for NASA at a secure and remote 60,000-acre location near Las Cruces, NM where the arid climate is ideal for year-round testing. WSTF has made broad contributions to Apollo, the Space Shuttle and its return to flight, International Space Station, and manned spaceflight in general – a tradition that continues with support to Orion and the Commercial Crew Program.
Through 50+ years of continuous support, WSTF has earned preeminence agency-wide for the following core capabilities:
- Propellants & Aerospace Fluids Testing & Analysis
- Composite Pressure Systems Testing and Analysis
- Precision Cleaning and Component Services
- Rocket Propulsion Testing & Evaluation
- Oxygen Systems Testing & Analysis
- Materials Flight Acceptance Testing
- Hypervelocity Impact Testing
Worker safety is paramount. WSTF is one of only about 2000 worksites in the U.S. with recognition as an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star site.
Quality and security are key. WSTF meets stringent ISO-9001 quality and ISO-14001 environmental requirements. In 2019, Booz Allen Hamilton recognized WSTF as one of the most trustworthy NASA facilities for safeguarding information.
Unique WSTF capabilities and tech are available for strategic partnership. Contact us for further information.
NASA Materials & NDE Laboratory Manager
Charles Nichols
Phone: 575-524-5389
Email: charles.nichols@nasa.gov
