Infrared telescope (IRT) system cryogenic performance

Abstract

Thermal performance evaluation tests on the Small Helium Cooled Infrared Telescope (IRT), prior to flight on Spacelab 2 in 1985, are reported. The telescope is a joint project of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the University of Arizona, and the NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center. Starting with 190 liters of liquid helium to be converted to superfluid, 140 liters should be available at launch; 100 liters would be available 48 hours into the mission when first observations begin and 30 liters should be left as a reserve at payload deactivation. New data and insight have been gained regarding the processes which govern the functioning of a porous plug phase separator for superfluid helium.