Spacecraft Thermal Control Technologies

This book presents fundamental theories, design and testing methodologies, and engineering applications concerning spacecraft thermal control systems, helping readers gain a comprehensive understanding of spacecraft thermal control systems and technologies. With abundant design methods, advanced technologies and typical applications to help them grasp the basic concepts and principles of engineering applications, it is mainly intended for engineering and technical staff engaged in spacecraft thermal control areas. The book discusses the thermal environments commonly used for space flight missions, rules and regulations for system design, thermal analysis and simulation, and thermal testing methods, as well as the design and validation of the thermal control systems for Chinese spacecraft, such as the Shenzhou spacecraft and Chang’e Lunar Lander and Rover. It also introduces them to communication and remote sensing satellites and presents advanced thermal control technologies developed in recent years, including heat transfer, heat insulation, heating, refrigeration and thermal sensor technologies. Addressing the design and validation of thermal control systems for various types of Chinese spacecraft, the book offers a valuable theoretical and practical reference guide for researchers and engineers alike.

Thermal control systems are an essential element of spacecraft design, ensuring that all parts of the spacecraft remain within acceptable temperature ranges at all times. Spacecraft thermal control describes the fundamentals of thermal control design and reviews current thermal control technologies. The book begins with an overview of space missions and a description of the space environment, followed by coverage of the heat transfer processes relevant to the field. In the third part of the book, current thermal control technologies are described, and in the final part, design, analysis and testing techniques are reviewed. Provides background on the fundamentals of heat transfer which gives the reader a better understanding of the phenomenon and the way Space Thermal Control Systems work Merges the experience of the authors in teaching aerospace engineering topics with the experience as compilers of the ‘Spacecraft Thermal Control Design Data Handbook’ of the European Space Agency and the development of in orbit thermal control systems for Spanish and ESA Missions The engineering approach is enhanced with a full section on Thermal Control Design, Analysis and Testing

The book presents up-to-date thermal control film materials, technologies and applications in spacecraft. Commonly used thermal control film materials and devices for spacecraft are discussed in detail, including single-structure passive thermal control film materials, composite structure passive thermal control film materials, intelligent thermal control film materials, and microstructure thermal control thin film devices.

Annotation This is a revised and updated of (1994) and has been expanded to discuss interplanetary spacecraft as well as Earth- orbiting satellites. The work is presented as a compendium of corporate knowledge in the field of thermal control of uncrewed spacecraft and was written for thermal engineers of a range of experience levels. After discussing general issues and historical design approaches chapters examine current thermal control hardware, the thermal design and testing process, and emerging thermal technologies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Develop a fundamental understanding of heat transfer analysis techniques as applied to earth based spacecraft with this practical guide. Written in a tutorial style, this essential text provides a how-to manual tailored for those who wish to understand and develop spacecraft thermal analyses. Providing an overview of basic heat transfer analysis fundamentals such as thermal circuits, limiting resistance, MLI, environmental thermal sources and sinks, as well as contemporary space based thermal technologies, and the distinctions between design considerations inherent to room temperature and cryogenic temperature applications, this is the perfect tool for graduate students, professionals and academic researchers.

Thermal control is necessary to assurance the optimum performance and accomplishment of the operation because if a component is subjected to temperatures which are too high or too low, it could be damaged or its performance could be rigorously affected. Almost all sophisticated equipment has specified temperature ranges in which it will function correctly. The role of the TCS (thermal control systems) is therefore to maintain the temperature and temperature stability of every item onboard the spacecraft within those pre-defined limits during all mission phases and thereby using a minimum of spacecraft resources. Spacecraft Thermal Control reviews the design drivers and the technologies currently used for spacecraft thermal control focusing on future technology developments in thermal control. It includes thermal environments and design techniques for interplanetary spacecraft, as well as the Earth-orbiting satellites. The readers will find a modernized depiction of the thermal environment in Earth orbit, new material documenting the environments of interplanetary missions, further practical information about the thermal control of hardware elements, and presentation of some newer technologies such as heat switches and precision temperature control techniques. Definitive chapters focuses on correction method for a spacecraft thermal model, architectural design criteria for spacecraft; heat pipe for aerospace applications and testing of a low-cost loop heat pipe design; anodic coating characteristics of different aluminum alloys for spacecraft materials applications; failure detection in an annular combustion chamber with experimental and numerical methods; resolving the difficulties encountered by JPL interplanetary robotic spacecraft in flight; and more.This practical handbook provides the reader with enough background and specific information to begin conducting thermal analysis and to participate in the thermal design of spacecraft systems.