I worked with a solar simulator that has 19 lamps, each using 35 kW of power. It has a heavy metal shutter that is used to quickly turn off the light. Once the

I worked with a solar simulator that has 19 lamps, each using 35 kW of power. It has a heavy metal shutter that is used to quickly turn off the light. Once the shutter is closed, the operators have ~45 seconds to turn the lamp off, otherwise they risk damaging the shutter. Some other facts: * While handling lamps, you are not allowed to be in the lamp room without hearing protection, just in case one implodes. * A single lamp emits enough light that it can cause permanent blindness. * Lamps are water-cooled. Here's a picture of the back of the unit: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2014/04/Sun_simulator https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2014/04/Sun_simula... (it still lists the old power rating, but it was increased to 35 kW a few years ago, when BepiColombo was tested. The lamps were also refocused at that time, to cover a smaller diameter circle. The sun emits a ridiculous amount of light...) Here's a picture of a spacecraft being lit up by the lamps (at a really low light level): https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2008/03/GOCE_ready_for_testing_in_the_Large_Space_Simulator https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2008/03/GOCE_ready... I wrote the software that monitors lamp output during use, and also the software used to calibrate the alignment of the lamps (they need to be properly centered).