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Powers, E. I.

Publications and source records attributed to Powers, E. I..

Thermal control system for a spacecraft modular housing

The development of a thermal control system for a spacecraft module is discussed. The wall structures are composed of superinsulation in some cases and of thermally conductive material in other cases. Heat pipes are installed to provide a path of heat transfer from the interior of the module to space. The design of the system makes it possible to maintain a relatively uniform temperature throughout the module with side variations of the amount of heat dissipated by the components within the module.

Eby, R. J.

Three-dimension heat transfer program

An IBM 7094, three dimensional, heat transfer program for satellite application is discussed. The program may be applied to all phases of spacecraft life, from launch to orbital quasi-steady state. Launch phase heating includes inputs by radiation from the hot fairing and free molecule flow heating after nose cone ejection. Orbital heat fluxes are accounted for by direct sunlight, earth-reflected sunlight, and earth-emitted input to the satellite. Internal heat exchange by conduction and radiation is determined, provided the appropriate conductances, radiation view factors, and effective emittances are known. A simplified analysis of an active thermal controlled spacecraft is incorporated into the program. One or more surfaces may contain shutter systems which have optical properties specified as a function of shutter opening. The program evaluates the feasibility of any configuration based upon maintaining an internal component within its tolerable temperature limits. The program employs a matrix inversion subroutine (Gauss Elimination Method) to solve the heat balance equations.

COMPUTER PROGRAM