Application of a new EMC test method for space unit qualification in cold operational condition radiated susceptibility tests in thermal vacuum on GAIA payload

In addition to the advantages of the reverberation chamber (statistically isotropic incident field), this method allows to perform radiated susceptibility tests which are impossible to realize in a typical anechoic chamber. This paper deals with a novel radiated susceptibility test method applied in thermal vacuum chamber to assess the GAIA focal plane assembly immunity in X-band. The TVAC (thermal vacuum chamber) has been used as a reverberation chamber with frequency stirring in order to be in the condition of an oversized cavity.