Central Receiver Test Facility

The heliostats and tower provide:
•5 MW total thermal power
•Peak flux to 260 W/cm²
•Illumination of target areas up to about 2,800 m²
•Time-dependent control of the thermal flux
The tower and heliostat field can be used to:
•Expose and measure the thermal performance of components and materials
•Measure the effects of aerodynamic heating on radar transmission
•Simulate nuclear thermal flash
•Solar applications

The heliostats alone can provide optics for:
•Astronomical observations
•Satellite calibration